TRACER PROJECTILE AND METHOD FOR THE APPLICATION OF A TRACER DEVICE IN A TRACER PROJECTILE

1. A tracer projectile intended for small-caliber and medium-caliber weapons, comprisinga jacketed metal core comprising
a tracer device disposed inside a cavity in the metal core in a rear part of the projectile, and
a jacket that covers between 10-25% of the rear part of the projectile,
wherein the cavity is polygon-shaped in cross-section for increased adhesion between the tracer device and the cavity.

US Pat. No. 10,139,207

PROJECTILE HAVING INCREASED VELOCITY AND AERODYNAMIC PERFORMANCE

1. A projectile, and a barrel through which said projectile is fired by pressurized gas developed separately and independently from said projectile, said projectile comprising:a generally cylindrical body,
a chamber at a rear of said generally cylindrical body, said chamber having an open rear at said rear of said generally cylindrical body, said chamber defined by a first circumferential wall coincident with an outer diameter of said generally cylindrical body,
a wall in said chamber opposite said open rear of said chamber, said wall perpendicular to a long axis of said generally cylindrical body and receiving force from said pressurized gas via said open rear of said chamber,
a member in said open rear of said chamber, said member having a circular region extending toward said first circumferential wall of said chamber, said circular region and said first circumfrential wall defining an annular opening between said first circumferential wall of said chamber and said circular region, said annular opening being around said rear of said generally cylindrical body,
said chamber communicating via said annular opening with said pressurized gas in said barrel,
a second chamber in a rear of said member, said second chamber having a second open rear at a rear of said member, with a second circumferential wall of said second chamber being sufficently strong so as to prevent distortion by said pressurized gas in said barrel, said second circumferential wall of said second chamber extending around a circumference of said member,
a second member in said second chamber, said second member having a second circular region extending toward said second circumferential wall of said second chamber, said second circumferential wall and said second circular region defining a second annular opening between said second circumferential wall of said second chamber and said second circular region of said second member, said second annular opening being around said second open rear of said member,
said second chamber communicating via said second annular opening with said pressurized gas in said barrel.

US Pat. No. 10,139,206

BIODEGRADABLE SHOTGUN WAD SYSTEM

1. A shotgun shell comprising:a shotgun hull having a boundary defining an enclosed space;
powder;
shot;
a biodegradable powder wad configured to be confined within said boundary;
a biodegradable shot wad configured to be confined within said boundary;
wherein said shotgun hull is crimped;
wherein said biodegradable shot wad at least partially surrounds said shot in said shotgun hull;
wherein said biodegradable shot wad comprises a biodegradable material;
wherein said biodegradable powder wad physically separates said powder from said shot;
wherein said biodegradable powder wad comprises a biodegradable polyester or oxo-biodegradable polyethylene;
wherein said biodegradable powder wad is physically and chemically distinct from said biodegradable shot wad; and
wherein upon firing of said shotgun shell from a shotgun having a barrel, said biodegradable powder wad is configured to stay intact during flight and landing and said biodegradable shot wad is configured to break apart into multiple discrete pieces during flight or landing.

US Pat. No. 10,139,205

HIGH IMPACT STRENGTH NOCK ASSEMBLY

1. A high impact strength lighted nock assembly that couples with, and decouples from, an arrow, the lighted nock assembly comprising:a light assembly comprising a light emitting device that is mechanically coupled to a battery, wherein displacing the light emitting device toward the battery activates the light emitting device and displacing the light emitting device away from the battery deactivates the light emitting device;
a nock comprising a head configured to engage with a bowstring and a shank with a recess, wherein the light emitting device is located in the recess and the light assembly is attached to the nock;
a bushing sized for insertion into a shaft of the arrow, the bushing having a shoulder that engages with a rear end of the shaft, a distal portion extending from the shoulder portion into the shaft, and a center opening extending into the distal portion that is sized to frictionally engage with the shank of the nock, such that the shank extends into the shaft; and
a battery stop attached to the battery at a location offset from the nock, the battery stop is releasably coupled within the center opening of the bushing and resists longitudinal translation of the battery relative to the bushing, wherein the nock translates within the center opening between an activated configuration that activates the light emitting device and a deactivated configuration that deactivates the light emitting device without removing the light assembly from the bushing.

US Pat. No. 10,139,204

FUEL/AIR CONCUSSION APPARATUS AND METHOD

1. A method of producing and using a concussion device comprising:providing a structure comprising a cavity, the cavity having a top opening, the cavity surrounded by sidewalls;
providing a first energetic charge disposed in a bottom portion of the cavity;
providing an elongated member having length, a width, and a thickness, with the length being greater than both the width and the thickness of the elongated member, the elongated member is provided removably secured to the structure sidewalls within the cavity, the elongated member spaced separated from and at least partially overlying the first energetic charge;
detonating the concussion device, wherein the concussion device is provided with the top opening communicating with the first energetic charge to produce a dispersed pattern of hot gases shaped by the elongated member including a V-shaped pattern exiting through the top opening upon detonation of the first energetic charge, the first energetic charge disposed below the elongated member;
wherein the structure and the elongated member are configured to structurally withstand the detonation.

US Pat. No. 10,139,203

REMOTELY RESETTABLE TARGET SYSTEM

1. A remotely resettable target system comprising:one or more non-resetting targets, a resetting target, and a frame;
wherein the remotely resettable target system is a set of practice targets for use when shooting a firearm;
wherein the one or more non-resetting targets and the resetting target start in a vertical position where they are visible from uprange;
wherein when struck by a fired round, the one or more non-resetting targets pivot to a horizontal position and disappear from sight;
wherein when struck by the fired round, the resetting target pivots to a non-vertical position and then returns to the vertical position;
wherein while in the non-vertical position, the resetting target releases the one or more non-resetting targets, causing the one or more non-resetting targets to pivot back to the vertical position;
wherein the one or more non-resetting targets comprises a pivot paddle, a target mount, and a locking hammer;
wherein the one or more non-resetting targets pivot to the horizontal position and lock into place when struck by the fired round;
wherein the one or more non-resetting targets remain in the horizontal position until the resetting target is struck by the fired round;
wherein the pivot paddle comprises a non-resetting target paddle and a pivot rod;
wherein the non-resetting target paddle is a metal plate that is coupled to the pivot rod such that the non-resetting target paddle extends both above and below the pivot rod;
wherein the portion, of the non-resetting target paddle that is located above the pivot rod is shaped and marked to form a target;
wherein the left and right ends of the pivot rod are rotationally coupled to a target support bracket such that the non-resetting target paddle pivots between the vertical position and the horizontal position.

US Pat. No. 10,139,202

ADVANCED COOPERATIVE DEFENSIVE MILITARY TACTICS, ARMOR, AND SYSTEMS

1. An unmanned vehicle comprising:a first portion, wherein a first impact is operable to be detected on said first portion by a first device; and
a second portion, wherein a second impact is operable to be detected on said second portion by a second device, said first impact is recognized as a first threat by a processor, said second impact is recognized as a second threat by said processor, and said first threat is provided with a first priority and said second threat is provided with a second priority.

US Pat. No. 10,139,201

PRE-STRESSED CURVED CERAMIC PLATES/TILES AND METHOD OF PRODUCING SAME

1. A method of preparing a pre-stressed curved plate having at least one concave surface, comprising:winding tensioned reinforcing fibers around a curved ceramic plate whereby a space is left between the at least one concave surface of the ceramic plate and the wound reinforcing fibers; and
applying external pressure to the tensioned fibers to stretch the fibers until they contact and bond to the at least one concave surface, thereby providing a compression stress on the curved plate.

US Pat. No. 10,139,200

CONTAINMENT DEVICE COMPRISING A DRY CURTAIN

1. A containment device comprising a curtain that can be deployed from a wound or folded first position into an unwound or unfolded second position, comprising a storage box for storing the curtain in the first position, wherein the box is made up of a plurality of juxtaposed modules, the plurality of modules comprising active modules which are provided with means for retaining and releasing the curtain and passive modules which do not have said means for retaining and releasing the curtain.

US Pat. No. 10,139,199

BALLISTIC VEST CARRIER COVER WITH POUCHES FOR HARD ARMOR

1. A cover for a ballistic vest carrier, the carrier including a front armor panel in a front portion of the carrier, a rear armor panel in a rear portion of the carrier, attachable and detachable waist straps adapted to removably attach the front portion of the carrier to the rear portion of the carrier at a waist of a wearer, and attachable and detachable shoulder straps adapted to removably attach the front portion of the carrier to the rear portion of the carrier at shoulders of the wearer, the cover comprising:(a) a mantle extending from a front waist of the mantle through shoulders of the mantle to a rear waist of the mantle and having a neck opening, a right side, and a left side, the mantle having an outer fabric layer and a liner, the liner being attached to the outer fabric layer to form a front pocket and a rear pocket between the outer fabric layer and the liner, the front pocket being accessible through a right front armor opening on the right side of the mantle and through a left front armor opening on the left side of the mantle, the rear pocket being accessible through a right rear armor opening on the right side of the mantle and through a left rear armor opening on the left side of the mantle;
(b) a front pouch inside the front pocket and attached at the neck opening and shoulders of the mantle, the front pouch being accessible through a front pouch opening in the outer fabric layer, the front pouch being designed to receive a hard armor panel through the front pouch opening; and
(c) rear pouch inside the rear pocket and attached at the neck opening and shoulders of the mantle, the rear pouch being accessible through a rear pouch opening in the outer fabric layer, the rear pouch being designed to receive a hard armor panel through the rear pouch opening;
(d) whereby the front armor portion of the carrier is inserted into the front pocket, the rear armor portion of the carrier is inserted into the rear pocket, and the front portion of the carrier is attached to the rear portion of the carrier by the waist straps through the armor openings and by the shoulder straps.

US Pat. No. 10,139,198

PHOTOELECTRIC SIGHTING SYSTEM AND CALIBRATION METHOD THEREOF

1. A photoelectric sighting system, comprising:a shell having an internal space, a shell front end, and a shell rear end;a field-of-view acquisition unit installed at the shell front end;a display unit installed at the shell rear end; and a sighting circuit unit disposed in the internal space and connected to the field-of-view acquisition unit and the display unit, wherein the sighting circuit unit transmits information acquired by the field-of-view acquisition unit to the display unit;
a low-illumination photoelectric conversion sensor disposed in the internal space and between the field-of-view acquisition unit and the sighting circuit unit, wherein the field-of-view acquisition unit comprises a day and night compatible lens group; and
a day and night switching control unit that is disposed between the low-illumination photoelectric conversion sensor and the day and night compatible lens group, wherein the day and night switching control unit comprises an optical filter, an optical filter driving mechanism, a coil, and a magnet.

US Pat. No. 10,139,197

FIREARM SIGHT WITH RETRACTABLE SUNSHADE

1. A sight for a firearm comprising:a sight body including a clamp at a lower extent for removably securing the sight to a portion of a firearm;
an upwardly facing surface on the sight body above the clamp;
a housing on the sight body and projecting above the upwardly facing portion, the housing containing a lens assembly;
a shade carried by the sight body, the shade movable along the sight body from a retracted position in which the shade is at least partially contained by the housing, and an extended position in which the shade extends over the upwardly facing surface; and
a sliding attachment between a lower extent of the shade and the sight body proximal the upwardly facing, generally flat surface, wherein the shade is retained on the sight body in the extended position.

US Pat. No. 10,139,196

MARKSMAN LAUNCHER SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

1. A modular controller located in an environment of an effector launching system that has external components located in the environment externally to the modular controller for executing an effector launching sequence, wherein the external components include any of an effector, a sensor, an effector launcher, a mounting platform, or a power source, the modular controller comprising:a core processor module that is configured to execute a plurality of different effector launching sequences using the external components; and
a plurality of converting modules that each have an electro-mechanical interface and is connectable between the core processor module and one of the external components, wherein the electro-mechanical interface includes both an adaptive mechanical interface and an electrical connection between the core processor module and a corresponding one of the external components,
wherein the plurality of converting modules are configured to send and receive data with the core processor module and the plurality of external components.

US Pat. No. 10,139,195

ADJUSTABLE BUTTSTOCK

1. An adjustable buttstock attachable to a buffer tube with a plurality of position slots, the adjustable buttstock comprising:a body slidably attached to the buffer tube;
a butt attached to the body, wherein the butt comprises a locking slot and a travel slot; and
a lever assembly rotatably attached to the body, wherein the lever assembly comprises
a lever arm rotatably attached to the body,
a locking pin and locking spring disposed within the lever arm, wherein the locking spring biases the locking pin into the locking slot,
a trigger attached to the lever arm and rotatably engaged with the locking pin, wherein rotation of the trigger overcomes the locking spring to move the locking pin out of the locking slot, and
a position pin extending from the lever arm and positionable in one of the plurality of position slots.

US Pat. No. 10,139,194

GAS VALVE WITH TRIGGERED RELEASE FEATURE

1. A valve, having an upstream side and a downstream side, for selectively releasing a pressurized gas stored on said upstream side, comprising:a. a housing;
b. a valve body including a disk, a column, and a spring retainer;
c. wherein said disk includes an upstream conical surface;
d. a seal connected to said housing, wherein said seal includes a downstream conical surface configured to mate against said upstream conical surface on said disk;
e. a sear, configured to move between a first position in which said sear holds said valve body against said seal and a second position in which said sear releases said valve body; and
f. a separate trigger configured to cause said sear to move from said first position to said second position.

US Pat. No. 10,139,193

DISPLACEMENT SYSTEM FOR MOTOR ATTACHMENT ANGLE IN SIMULATION GUN

1. A displacement system for a motor attachment angle, in which an attachment angle between an output gear of a motor holder configuring an electric mechanism and an input gear of a gear box is displaceable, in a simulation gun in which a piston cylinder mechanism is driven by the electric mechanism and a bullet is shot with generated compressed air,wherein the output gear and the input gear are constituted by bevel gears,
wherein the system comprises
connection portions that are provided in at least two places on a gear box side, and
connection counterpart portions that respectively coincide with the connection portions and are provided on a motor holder side, and
wherein the connection portions are present on the same circumference about a rotary shaft of the input gear and on both sides across a radial-directional axial line passing through the rotary shaft of the input gear, and angles A, B formed by axial lines respectively connecting the connection portions and the rotary shaft of the input gear, and the radial-directional axial line are not equal to each other (A?B).

US Pat. No. 10,139,192

AIRSOFT MAGAZINE

1. An airsoft magazine that provides an automated feed mechanism of pellets housed in the magazine, comprising;an outer shell;
an inner shell constructed of two symmetrical, half shells which are secured to each other and inserted into the outer shell;
the inner shell including a feed mechanism operated by a motor powered by a battery;
the feed mechanism including a spinning gear mechanism with a plurality of teeth rotated by the motor to transfer the pellets from a loading chamber disposed above the feed mechanism within the inner shell to an exit chamber from which the pellets are ejected from the magazine;
a first sensor disposed in the inner shell to output a first signal to a circuit board to turn on the motor when the first sensor detects the pellets passing through the exit chamber to be ejected from the magazine;
a release hatch covering an inlet to the loading chamber being spring loaded with a spring which when compressed sends a second signal output from a second sensor to the circuit board which when the first signal is output to the circuit board turns on the motor to transfer the pellets from the loading chamber to the exit chamber; and
the battery, motor, and circuit board being mounted to the inner shell and secured within a storage component disposed at a bottom section of the inner shell and secured within the storage component with a cover.

US Pat. No. 10,139,191

SHOOTING BOW WITH REDUCED LIMB TRAVEL

1. A shooting bow comprising:a riser;
a first limb having one end attached to a first side of said riser;
a second limb having one end attached to a second side of said riser;
a first cam rotatably retained on said first limb with a first axle;
a second cam rotatably retained on said second limb with a second axle;
a first pulley is rotatably retained on said first axle;
a second pulley is rotatably retained on said second axle;
a cable having one end attached to a first cam, retained on said second pulley, retained on said first pulley and an opposing end attached to said second cam; and
a bowstring having a first end attached to said first cam, a second end of said bowstring is attached to said second cam.

US Pat. No. 10,139,190

CROSSBOW WITH TAKE-APART STOCK

10. A crossbow, comprising:a stock, the stock comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion extends from a rear end to a coupling end and the second portion extends from a coupling end to a front end; and
a bow portion, comprising:
a riser assembly;
a first limb coupled to the riser assembly;
a second limb coupled to the riser assembly; and
a drawstring extending from a distal end of the first limb to a distal end of the second limb;
wherein the bow portion is coupled to the second portion of the stock;
wherein the first portion of the stock is detachably coupled to the second portion of the stock at a coupling location within 6 inches of the drawstring in an undrawn position.

US Pat. No. 10,139,189

MULTI-DRAW WEIGHT ARCHERY BOW WITH CABLE TIMING

6. A multi-draw weight archery bow with cable timing comprising:a riser;
a first limb extends from a first end of said riser, a second limb extends from a second end of said riser;
a first cam is pivotally retained on a distal end of said first limb, a second cam is pivotally retained on a distal end of said second limb;
a bow string having a first end retained on said first cam, a second end of said bow string is retained on said second cam;
a first adjustable draw device is retained on said first limb, a second adjustable draw device is retained on said second limb;
a first cable having one end retained on said first cam, an opposing end of said first cable is retained on said second adjustable draw device;
a second cable having one end retained on said second cam, an opposing end of said second cable is retained on said first adjustable draw device, wherein said first adjustable draw device is capable of increasing or decreasing tension on said first cable, said second adjustable draw device is capable of increasing or decreasing tension on said second cable; and
said first and second adjustable draw devices include a timing housing and a multi-position draw plate, said timing housing is secured to one of said first and second limbs, said multi-position draw plate is retained by said timing housing, said multi-position draw plate includes at least two positions, a cable post is removably retained in one of said at least two positions, said cable post retains an end of one of said first and second cables, wherein a position of said cable post in one of said at least two positions is changed to change tension on one of said first and second cables.

US Pat. No. 10,139,188

INTERCHANGEABLE CROSSBOW COCKING SYSTEM

19. A crossbow cocking system comprising:a crossbow stock having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;
a through hole that has a perimeter and that extends through the stock from the first side of the stock to the second side of the stock;
a first adapter plate that (1) is adapted for selectable and operational engagement with the crossbow stock; (2) has a perimeter that is substantially congruent with the perimeter of the through hole; and, (3) is positioned within the through hole when installed to the crossbow stock; and,
a cocking device that: (1) engages with the first adapter plate; and (2) extends through the first adapter plate.

US Pat. No. 10,139,187

CROSSBOW WITH ATTACHMENT FOR PROTECTING BROADHEAD OF ARROW

1. A crossbow, comprising:(a) a body including a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction;
(b) a pair of limbs affixed at a first location along the longitudinal axis, with a first limb of the pair extending on a first side of the body of the crossbow, and a second limb of the pair extending on a second side of the body of the crossbow opposite to the first side, the pair of limbs being adapted to transition between a distal configuration and a proximal configuration for accumulating energy, and return to the distal configuration for releasing energy;
(c) a string extending across the body and mounted on the pair of limbs, by which string an arrow is longitudinally propelled from a distal end of the body of the crossbow in the longitudinal direction when the pair of limbs returns to the distal configuration from the proximal configuration; and
(d) an attachment having a one-piece configuration and connected by fasteners to the distal end of the crossbow, the attachment comprising,
(i) a support portion extending from and beyond the distal end of the body of the crossbow at an angle to and below the longitudinal axis, and
(ii) a protector portion only connected to the support portion at a proximal end of the support portion and including opposed walls extending upwardly and surrounding the longitudinal axis except for a longitudinally extending opening separating the opposed walls for passage of a shaft of an arrow during loading of the crossbow, the opposed walls defining a hollow portion for receiving therein and capable of protecting a broadhead of an arrow when installed on the crossbow in a position ready to be fired, with the hollow portion extending in the longitudinal direction beyond the distal end of the body of the crossbow and away from the first location at which the pair of limbs are affixed to the body of the crossbow, the attachment further comprising a pair of foot-receiving portions connected to the support portion, at a distal end thereof, with the entirety of each foot-receiving portion being offset from and located below the longitudinal axis of the body of the crossbow, the protector distally extending farther along the longitudinal axis from the pair of foot-receiving portions, a combined configuration of the pair of foot-receiving portions and the protector portion collectively providing a triangular ground-contacting support capable of maintaining the crossbow vertically on the ground, wherein the farther distally extending protector inclining the longitudinal axis from vertical toward the pair of foot-receiving portions when vertically maintained on the ground to transfer weight toward the pair of foot-receiving portions w hereby the weight transfer towards the ground within the triangular ground-contacting support to increase stability of the crossbow when vertically maintained on the ground.

US Pat. No. 10,139,186

TRIGGER PULL FORCE GAUGE

1. A trigger gauge for measuring a pull force of a trigger of a weapon, the gauge comprising:a housing sized to be held by a hand of a user,
an arm supported by the housing, the arm having a proximal portion operatively connected to the housing and having a distal portion, and
a load cell located at the distal portion of the arm, the load cell including a trigger engagement head configured for engaging the trigger,
wherein the load cell is operable to generate an electrical signal responsive to a force on the trigger engagement head for measuring the pull force of the trigger.

US Pat. No. 10,139,185

CALIBER-SPECIFIC CLEANING KIT

1. A gun bore cleaning kit comprising:a hollow reel defining:
an interior region, and
an anchor site comprised of an anchor opening and an exit, wherein the anchor site further defines a main body configured to pass from the anchor opening to the exit;
a grip, structured and configured to approximately bisect the interior region, wherein the grip is positioned across from the anchor site;
a cover configured to move between a first position and a second position in relation to the reel;
a tether;
an anchor connected to the tether and configured to catch at the anchor site; and
a cleaning tool connected to the tether.

US Pat. No. 10,139,184

WEAPON SECURITY APPARATUS

1. A firearm security apparatus comprising:a base assembly;
a locking assembly having a first plate and a second plate, the second plate moveable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first plate, the first plate and the second plate configured to receive a weapon therebetween, wherein the first plate, the second plate, or both have a top member projecting outward from a vertical member and a bottom member projecting outward from the vertical member to define a C-shape having a window between the top member and the bottom member, wherein the top member engages the weapon above a grip and the bottom member engages the weapon below the grip when the second plate is in the closed position; and
a structural post coupled to the top member or the bottom member, the structural post configured to engage a weapon when the weapon is positioned between the first plate and the second plate, and when the second plate is in the closed position.

US Pat. No. 10,139,183

BIPOD

1. A bipod, comprising:a support frame unit comprising a bracket, a support fitting mounted at a top side of said bracket, and a mounting assembly adapted for securing a gun to said support fitting, said bracket comprising opposing left and right pivot holes and opposing left and right locating holes;
left and right outer tubes having respective top ends thereof respectively pivotally connected to said left and right pivot holes of said bracket of said support frame unit by a respective first pivot bolt and nut set and respective bottom ends thereof respectively mounted with a respective end cap;
left and right inner tubes respectively and axially slidably mounted in said left and right outer tubes and respectively rotatable through 360-degrees angle relative to said left and right outer tubes;
left and right guide blocks respectively affixed to respective top ends of said left and right inner tubes, said left and right guide blocks each comprising a top cone gradually reducing in diameter from a bottom side toward an opposing top side thereof and an axial through hole axially cut through said opposing top and bottom sides thereof;
left and right links respectively inserted into said left and right inner tubes;
left and right stop rings respectively fastened to said left and right links above a middle part thereof;
left and right compression springs respectively mounted around said left and right links within said left and right inner tubes and respectively stopped between said left and right stop rings and said left and right guide blocks;
left and right pressure handle holders respectively affixed to respective bottom ends of said left and right inner tubes by a respective first fastener and respectively defining therein a longitudinal through hole for the insertion of respective bottom ends of said left and right links respectively;
left and right pressure handles respectively pivotally connected to said left and right pressure handle holders by a respective second pivot member, said left and right pressure handles each comprising a guide surface respectively abutted against respective bottom ends of said left and right links for lifting said left and right links when said left and right pressure handles are respectively biased by an external force toward said left and right inner tubes and for allowing said left and right links to be respectively forced downwards by said left and right compression springs after the said external force is released from said left and right pressure handles;
left and right foot members respectively affixed to respective bottom sides of said left and right pressure handle holders by a respective second fastener;
left and right ball bearings respectively fastened to respective opposing top ends of said left and right links by respective positioning component sets for vertical movement with said left and right links, said left and right ball bearings each comprising a bearing block, which comprises a top axle hole of relatively smaller diameter, an opposing bottom axle hole of relatively larger diameter and an intermediate hole axially connected between said top axle hole and said bottom axle hole and a plurality of balls rotatably and radially movably mounted in said bearing block such that when said left and right ball bearings are moved upwards with said left and right links, respective inner sides of said balls are respectively disengaged from said top cones of said left and right guide blocks for allowing said left and right inner tubes to slide vertically relative to said left and right outer tubes; when said left and right ball bearings are moved downwards with said left and right links, said respective inner sides of said balls are respectively abutted against said top cones of said left and right guide blocks and respective outer sides of said balls are respectively abutted against respective inside walls of said left and right outer tubes; and
left and right torsion springs with respective one ends thereof respectively fastened to said left and right locating holes of said bracket of said support frame unit and respective opposite ends thereof respectively fastened to the said top ends of said left and right outer tubes.

US Pat. No. 10,139,182

FORCE DAMPING SHOOTING REST SYSTEM AND METHOD

1. A system for shooting an armament, comprising:a connector;
a side to side windage device connected to the connector;
an up and down windage device connected to the side to side windage device;
a guide rail connected to the up and down windage device, the guide rail is pivotal side to side via the side to side windage device and is pivotal up and down via the up and down windage device;
a carriage slidably connected to the guide rail, the carriage is formed of a front block and a back block connected by a carriage rail, the front block and the back block slidably connect to the guide rail; and
a force resistive device connected to the front block of the carriage, the force resistive device is situated substantially parallel to the guide rail to absorb recoil along direction of the guide rail, the back block of the carriage is slidably connected to the force resistive device.

US Pat. No. 10,139,181

CARRIER BOLT ASSEMBLY

1. A carrier bolt assembly for a rifle comprising:a carrier, said carrier having an integrated gas key, said carrier having a carrier bolt, said carrier having a bore, said bore having a first end and a second end, said carrier having a void proximate the first end of said bore;
a conductive rod, said conductive rod having an outer layer, said conductive rod having an inner layer, said conductive rod being mounted in said bore of said carrier, said conductive rod having a first section, said first section being disposed in said bore of said carrier, said first section having a first end and a second end, said outer layer of said conductive rod being manufactured from an insulative material, said inner layer being disposed within said outer layer, said inner layer being configured to conduct an electric current; and
wherein said conductive rod is operably coupled to an electric power source and is operable to provide an electric current to said first end of said conductive rod in order to fire a round of ammunition adjacent thereto.

US Pat. No. 10,139,180

GUN LOCK AND FIREARM HAVING SUCH A GUN LOCK

1. A gun lock of a firearm having two hammers movably mounted on a lock support, a trigger bar dedicated to each hammer for holding or releasing the hammers, a trigger, and a disconnector dedicated to the trigger, by which disconnector the trigger bars are moveable by the trigger from a holding position into a release position, wherein the disconnector is moveable by an inertial mass between a triggering position, in which the trigger is connected to one of the two trigger bars, and a disconnect position, in which the connection between the trigger and the trigger bars is interrupted, wherein the inertial mass is a pendulum mass which swivels about a transverse axis between a starting position and a safe position and by which the disconnector, upon release of a first hammer, can be swiveled in a direction opposite to the direction of the pendulum mass into the disconnect position and wherein the hammers comprise a control surface which interact with contact surfaces of the pendulum mass such that upon release of one of the two hammers, the pendulum mass is moved into the safe position and at the same time moves the disconnector in the opposite direction forward into the disconnect position.

US Pat. No. 10,139,179

BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR GUN

9. A user identification assembly comprising:iron sights configured for use on a firearm, the iron sights being positioned on the firearm to provide a point of aim to a user;
a light source disposed on the iron sights and projecting toward the user in a direction opposite the point of aim, the light source defining a sighting feature configured to be aligned with a sight feature of a front sight to aim the iron sights of the firearm; and
an image sensor disposed on the iron sights and configured to capture image data of an object to identify a particular user, the image sensor defining a sighting feature configured to be aligned with a sight feature of a front sight to aim the iron sights of the firearm.

US Pat. No. 10,139,178

FIREARM WITH USER AUTHENTICATION TO REMOVE OR ADD COMPONENTS

1. A method that enables an authorized user to switch a handgun from being a smart-gun to being a traditional handgun, the method comprising:providing the handgun with a first component that removably connects to the handgun, that forms at least part of a handle of the handgun, and that includes electronics that make the handgun the smart-gun that can only be fired by the authorized user;
providing the handgun with a second component that removably connects to the handgun when the first component is removed from the handgun, that forms at least part of the handle of the handgun when the first component is removed from the handgun, that does not include an electronic component, and that replaces the first component in order to switch the handgun from being the smart-gun to being the traditional handgun that does not include electronic components;
receiving, at the handgun when the first component is connected to the handgun, a request from the authorized user to remove the first component from the handgun;
unlocking, by the handgun and in response to the request, the first component from the handgun when the authorized user is authorized to remove the first component from the handgun; and
locking, at the handgun, the second component that forms at least part of the handle in order to switch the handgun from being the smart-gun to being the traditional handgun.

US Pat. No. 10,139,177

FIREARM

1. A firearm comprising:a component carrier;
a barrel having a cartridge chamber configured for accommodating a cartridge; and
a slide, which is supported on the component carrier in a longitudinally moveable manner and has a breech block for the barrel and a striking device for the cartridge;
wherein the slide bears an extractor configured for extracting a fired cartridge from the cartridge chamber;
wherein an ejector is supported on the slide in a longitudinally moveable manner, which ejector protrudes into an extraction motion path of the cartridge and, in the end phase of the rearward motion of the slide, lies against a stop formed on the component carrier; and
wherein the slide, together with the ejector, can be modularly replaced with a second slide having no ejector, wherein said stop formed on the component carrier assumes the ejector function for said second slide.

US Pat. No. 10,139,176

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOADING PISTOL MAGAZINES

1. An apparatus for loading cartridges into a pistol magazine, the apparatus comprising:a main unit comprising a magazine holder and a tray coupled with the magazine holder, the magazine holder being configured to receive a pistol magazine with a first long axis, and the tray including an elongate channel configured to arrange a column of cartridges along a second long axis laterally offset from the first long axis, the tray further including an angled wall extending across the elongate channel adjacent the magazine holder and oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the second long axis;
a wall covering the tray; and
a handle including a pusher disposed within the elongate channel, the handle being movable relative to the tray towards the magazine holder to cause the pusher to force cartridges in the tray against the angled wall and into the pistol magazine, wherein the pusher includes an angled pusher surface oriented at an oblique angle relative to the second long axis and extending in alignment with a medial portion of a cartridge to be loaded.

US Pat. No. 10,139,175

GAS OPERATED MACHINE GUN

1. An automatic weapon system comprising:a piston driven, gas operated machine gun including: a barrel assembly, a reciprocating bolt assembly, a firing chamber, and a firing chamber positioning mechanism;
wherein said reciprocating bolt assembly is movable between a rear or open position, an intermediate position and a forward or closed position by a bolt positioning assembly,
wherein said firing chamber is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position relative to said reciprocating bolt assembly and
wherein said firing chamber positioning mechanism is operatively coupled to an ammunition magazine to move said firing chamber between said unlocked position and said locked position and including a magazine feed mechanism and a cartridge feed opening by a gun feed mechanism to feed cartridges from said ammunition magazine to said piston driven gas operated machine gun,
wherein said gun feed mechanism is disposed to engage said magazine feed mechanism to convert a linear motion of said reciprocating bolt assembly into rotary motion to feed a cartridge from said ammunition magazine through said cartridge feed opening into said firing chamber to be fired from said barrel assembly when said reciprocating bolt assembly is in a forward or closed position.

US Pat. No. 10,139,174

SLIDE COVER PLATE ASSEMBLIES FOR SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOLS

1. A slide cover plate assembly for accessing internal components housed within a slide of a pistol, comprising:a first plate having an opening to mate with a button of a second plate;
the first plate comprising an interior face, at least one contact portion and a mating portion, wherein the mating portion is in contact with the slide;
the second plate comprising the button, a corresponding contact portion, and an interior face, wherein the interior face of the second plate receives a force exerted by a firing pin spring housed within the slide and the interior face of the second plate is flush with the interior face of the first plate;
wherein the contact portion of the first plate is in contact with the corresponding contact portion of the second plate allowing the second plate to transfer the force exerted by the firing pin to the first plate;
wherein the mating portion of the first plate in contact with the slide and uses the force transferred to the first plate from the second plate to engage the slide cover plate with the slide; and
wherein the button receives a manual pressure applied by an operator, wherein the received manual pressure counteracts the force exerted by the firing pin allowing the slide cover plate assembly to disengage from the slide.

US Pat. No. 10,139,173

LESS-LETHAL BALLISTIC PROJECTILE LAUNCHER

1. The combination of a less-lethal ballistic projectile round and a handheld launcher, the round comprising: a shell casing having an annular recess formed in a flat end around a primer and a projectile,and the launcher comprising:
a receiver section constructed of a polymer material, the receiver section includes a handle grip and a back plate;
a barrel section constructed of a polymer material and pivotally connected to the receiver section for movement between an open position spaced from the back plate and a closed position abutting the back plate, the barrel section includes a first and second tubular barrel sleeve, each of the first and second barrel sleeve having an axial bore with a rear end for receiving one of the rounds therein, and a forward end from which the projectile is propelled from the barrel section, the first and second barrel sleeves constructed of a metal and fitted into the barrel section with the first barrel sleeve over lying axially parallel the second barrel sleeve; and
a fire control mechanism housed within the receiver for discharging the rounds loaded into the barrel sleeve, the fire control mechanism includes a first and second firing pin, a hammer pivotally connected to the receiver part for movement between a cocked position and an un-cocked position, a rocker part pivotally carried by the hammer for alternatively engaging the first and second firing pins when the hammer is in the un-cocked position, and a spur part rotatably carried by the hammer operatively engaged with the rocker part to selectively position the rocker part relative to the hammer to alternatively discharge the round loaded from one of the first and second barrel sleeves while preventing the round loaded in either each of the first and second barrel sleeve from being discharged simultaneously;
a first and second curved ribs extending from the back plate toward the barrel section for preventing the barrel section from pivoting into the closed position when the barrel sleeve rear end is loaded with other than the round, whereby one or more of the first and second ribs restrictively seat within the annular recess of one or more of the rounds loaded into the first and second barrel sleeves and the barrel section is in the closed position; and
an ejector slidably retained within the barrel section for partially ejecting the round from the barrel sleeve rear end and for engaging the back plate to lock the barrel section in the closed position, the ejector includes a nub, the nub being received within a notch within the receiver section when the barrel section is in the closed position, thereby locking the barrel section relative to the receiver section, the ejector also has a rounded groove therein for receiving the shell casing of the round, the ejector contacted by a spring disposed within the barrel section urging the ejector toward the receiver section so that the ejector catches the flange of the shell and partially ejects the round from the barrel sleeve.

US Pat. No. 10,139,172

HEAT EXCHANGER FIN RETENTION FEATURE

1. A fin characterized by a corrugated shape configured to be interposed between adjacent instances of tubes of a heat exchanger assembly, said fin comprising:a plurality of planar portions configured to extend between the adjacent instances of the tubes;
a radiused portion located between adjacent planar portions and configured to be in thermal contact with a tube proximate thereto; and
a retention feature located between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the fin and remote from both the leading edge and the trailing edge, said retention feature configured to contact the tube in a manner effective to prevent fall-out of the fin prior to brazing of the heat exchanger assembly, wherein the retention feature includes a curled coil portion forming a loop protruding from the radiused portion and configured to deform to make a spring-biased contact with the tube and to spread a contact force over a contact area of the tube, wherein the curled coil portion is curling away from the radiused portion.

US Pat. No. 10,139,171

HEAT EXCHANGER AND TUBE

1. A heat exchanger havinga plurality of tubes configured to be flowed through by a fluid, wherein each tube of the plurality of tubes opens on a first end into a first header box and opens on a second end into a second header box such that the first and second header boxes are in fluid communication with one another by way of the tube, wherein at least one of the tubes of the plurality of tubes has at least one wall section which is configured by way of a selectively permeable diaphragm, wherein the selectively permeable diaphragm is not permeable in one direction to at least one fluid.

US Pat. No. 10,139,170

HEAT DISSIPATION STRUCTURE AND DEVICE

1. A heat dissipation structure comprising:a heat dissipating unit which comprises a plurality of extending parts which extends in a first direction, the heat dissipating unit configured to be thermally connected to an apparatus configured to produce heat; and
a heat accumulating unit comprising a heat storage material and an accommodating unit configured to be thermally connected to the extending parts, the accommodating unit accommodating the heat storage material in a sealed manner, wherein
the extending parts are arranged with gaps in a second direction intersecting with the first direction,
the accommodating unit comprises a plurality of sealing portions and a plurality of intermediate portions, the sealing portions are separated from each other, each of the sealing portions accommodating the heat storage material in a sealed manner, the intermediate portions connecting the sealing portions,
the sealing portions are configured to be disposed in the gaps between the extending parts, respectively, and
the intermediate portions are supported by the extending parts,
wherein each of the extending parts comprises a first end in the first direction and a second end on an opposite side of the first end, the second end positioned closer to the apparatus than to the first end,
wherein a pressing member abuts a first film of the accommodation unit and the first ends abut a second film of the accommodation unit such that the pressing member presses the intermediate portions of the accommodating unit against the first ends.

US Pat. No. 10,139,169

ADSORPTION SYSTEM

1. An adsorbent bed comprising:a housing including an inlet manifold, an exit manifold and a plurality of pairs of plates;
wherein each pair of plates of said plurality of pairs of plates define a flow channel within each respective pair of plates;
said flow channels are in fluid communication with the inlet manifold and the exit manifold,
wherein the pairs of plates are arranged in a stack;
wherein each pair of plates of said plurality of pairs of plates includes an upper layer including adsorbent material and a lower layer including adsorbent material and the vapor channel of each respective pair of plates being between the upper layer and the lower layer;
at least one airflow passage being provided between two immediately adjacent pairs of plates of said plurality of pairs of plates, said at least one airflow passage being configured to allow air to flow through the at least one airflow passage;
wherein each pair of plates of said plurality of pairs of plates are sealed, thereby preventing the air to flow into the respective flow channel of each pair of plates of said plurality of pairs of plates;
wherein the plurality of pairs of plates include a top most pair of plates, a bottom most pair of plates and at least one intermediate pair of plates;
wherein the vapor channel of the at least one intermediate pair of plates is fluidly connected to the vapor channels of the pairs of plates immediately above and below said at least one intermediate pair of plates via at least one raised portion.

US Pat. No. 10,139,168

COLD PLATE WITH RADIAL EXPANDING CHANNELS FOR TWO-PHASE COOLING

15. A cold plate, comprising:a manifold plate comprising a cold plate inlet and a cold plate outlet;
a base plate that comprises a recessed area; and
a middle layer between the manifold plate and the base plate, wherein the middle layer comprises:
a central region that has a solid conical shape with a narrow end of the central region adjacent to the base plate, and the solid conical shape only having a hole at a center of the central region that extends from a large end of the central region to the narrow end;
an outer wall; and
a plurality of side walls that extend radially from the central region to the outer wall and form a plurality of microchannels, wherein the manifold plate, the base plate, and the middle layer are bonded together.

US Pat. No. 10,139,166

FUEL FEED AND AIR FEED CONTROLLER FOR BIOFUEL-FIRED FURNACE

1. A controller system for a biofuel-fired furnace, the system comprising:a fuel feed controller connectable to a motorized fuel feed device of the biofuel furnace and configured to generate first signals for controlling operation of the fuel feed device;
a supply air controller connectable to a supply air handler of the biofuel furnace and configured to generate second signals for controlling operation of the supply air handler;
a heat demand calculator connectable to a sensor coupled to the biofuel furnace, so as to repeatedly receive signals from the sensor, the heat demand calculator being configured to repeatedly calculate, based at least in part on the signals from the sensor, an amount of heat being extracted from a heat-transfer medium flowing from the biofuel furnace; and
a heat production adjuster coupled to the heat demand calculator, to the fuel feed controller and to the supply air controller, the heat production adjuster being configured to:
repeatedly monitor the amount of heat being extracted from the heat-transfer medium;
repeatedly recalculate a fuel feed rate for the fuel feed device to deliver fuel to the biofuel furnace, based at least in part on a current amount of heat being extracted from the heat-transfer medium;
repeatedly recalculate an air supply rate for the supply air handler to deliver air to the biofuel furnace; and
cause the fuel feed controller and the supply air controller to operate the fuel feed device and the supply air handler, respectively, according to a most recently recalculated fuel feed rate and a most recently recalculated air supply rate.

US Pat. No. 10,139,165

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING NANOPARTICLES

1. A nanoparticle generator, comprising:a body defining an internal space, with an electric insulator inserted into the internal space along a central axis of the body;
a heat-insulating tube, internally inserted into the body, wherein the electric insulator and a local heating unit which is mounted on the electric insulator are internally inserted into the heat-insulating tube along a central axis thereof;
a first inlet, provided at a side of the body, for introducing first external air into a first portion of the internal space defined by the body, wherein the first external air, introduced through the first inlet into said first portion of the internal space, is introduced into the heat-insulating tube, and the first portion is separate from another portion of the internal space defined by the body;
a second inlet, provided at said side of the body, for introducing second external air between the heat-insulating tube and the body; and
an outlet, provided at said side of the body, for evacuating, via said another portion of the internal space, the first external air which is introduced through the heat-insulating tube into said another portion of the internal space.

US Pat. No. 10,139,164

ROTARY HEAT TREATMENT FURNACE

1. A rotary heat treatment furnace comprising: a furnace body having an inside that is partitioned into a first zone and a second zone; a housing rotary body rotatably supported and disposed so as to straddle the first zone and the second zone, the housing rotary body including: a plurality of side walls extending radially; a plurality of housing chambers partitioned by the side walls, the housing chambers each having a substantially same size, the housing chambers being disposed circumferentially in multiple stages, each of the multiple stages including multiple housing chambers; and a space disposed in the central portion of the housing rotary body so that the housing rotary body is provided with a donut shape in plan view; a rotary driving device for rotating the housing rotary body; a heating device for heating the air inside the furnace body; a fan for feeding hot air prepared by the air heated by the heating device to the housing rotary body; a first partition wall and a second partition wall, the first partition wall extending from the fan towards the housing rotary body while the second partition wall extending from a wall surface of the furnace body towards the housing rotary body, the first partition wall and the second partition wall together partitioning the inside of the furnace body into the first zone and the second zone; a first flow passage communicating a blowout port of the fan with outer circumference sides of the housing chambers positioned in the first zone; and a second flow passage communicating outer circumference sides of the housing chambers positioned in the second zone with a suction port of the fan, wherein: when the first partition wall is in such a state that an end portion thereof at a side of the housing rotary body side comes closer to one of the side walls, the second partition wall is in such a state that an end portion thereof at a side of the housing rotary body comes closer to another one of the side walls; the hot air provided by the fan and passed through the first flow passage is fed substantially horizontally to the outer circumference sides of the housing chambers positioned in the first zone and further to the space side; and the hot air is then fed substantially horizontally from the space side to the outer circumference sides of the housing chambers positioned in the second zone, and is returned to the fan through the second flow passage.

US Pat. No. 10,139,163

DRUG-ELUTING COATINGS APPLIED TO MEDICAL DEVICES BY SPRAYING AND DRYING TO REMOVE SOLVENT

1. A method of drying a stent having a longitudinal axis, comprising:using a dryer having an inlet conduit for supplying an input gas and a nozzle exit for producing a heated, drying gas, the nozzle exit having apertures; and
placing the stent between a reflector and the nozzle exit, wherein the reflector is arranged to cause an increase in gas pressure near the stent by directing gas towards the stent, thereby reducing heat loss in the vicinity of the stent;
wherein the dryer is adapted for producing a substantially uniform drying air mass over the stent length.

US Pat. No. 10,139,162

ACOUSTIC-ASSISTED HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER DEVICE

1. An acoustic energy-transfer system comprising:a walled container configured to receive and contain a material to be processed while the material is being processed;
an acoustic chest arranged circumferentially around the container; and
an ultrasonic transducer arranged circumferentially inside the acoustic chest, the ultrasonic transducer defining a plurality of acoustic slots, each of the plurality of acoustic slots extending through the ultrasonic transducer, each of the plurality of acoustic slots angled with respect to a central axis of the acoustic chest.

US Pat. No. 10,139,161

MICROWAVE VACUUM-DRYING OF ORGANIC MATERIALS

1. A method for dehydrating an organic material, comprising the steps of:(a) introducing the organic material into a vacuum chamber;
(b) reducing pressure in the vacuum chamber to a pressure less than atmospheric;
(c) conveying the organic material through the vacuum chamber across a microwave-transparent window of the vacuum chamber by a conveyor extending along the microwave-transparent window and in contact with the microwave-transparent window;
(d) applying microwave radiation through the microwave-transparent window to dehydrate the organic material as it is being conveyed through the vacuum chamber; and
(e) removing the dehydrated organic material from the vacuum chamber.

US Pat. No. 10,139,160

MICROWAVE VACUUM-DRYING OF ORGANIC MATERIALS

1. An apparatus for dehydrating organic material, comprising:(a) a vacuum chamber;
(b) a microwave generator;
(c) a microwave-transparent window for transmission of microwave radiation from the microwave generator into the vacuum chamber;
(d) a microwave chamber between the microwave generator and the microwave-transparent window; and
(e) a conveyor for conveying the organic material across the microwave-transparent window within the vacuum chamber, wherein the conveyor extends along the microwave-transparent window and in contact with the microwave-transparent window.

US Pat. No. 10,139,159

INFRARED FLOAT BAR

1. A method of regulating drying of a web in a dryer by combined convective and radiative heat transfer, said web entering said dryer with wet areas alongside dry areas of the web, said method comprising providing in said dryer a plurality of air flotation bars that impinge air on said web and create a pressure pad, said air flotation bars having an infrared light source for applying an infrared heat flux to said pressure pad and a reflector for reflecting said infrared heat emitted by said infrared light source, and sensing air temperature of the air responsible for said convective heat transfer and regulating said air temperature in response to said sensing to a temperature effective for heating said wet areas while cooling at least a portion of said dry areas of the web prior to reaching the exit of said dryer such that the convective heat transfer cools said dry areas of said web while alongside wet areas are heated and said radiative heat transfer heats both said wet and dry areas of said web.

US Pat. No. 10,139,158

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SEPARATING A FEED STREAM WITH A FEED STREAM DISTRIBUTION MECHANISM

1. A distillation tower for separating a feed stream, the distillation tower comprising:a controlled freeze zone section having a controlled freeze zone upper section and a controlled freeze zone lower section below the controlled freeze zone upper section, wherein the controlled freeze zone section is constructed and arranged to form a solid from the feed stream,
wherein the controlled freeze zone section comprises:
(a) a spray assembly in the controlled freeze zone upper section;
(b) a melt tray assembly in the controlled freeze zone lower section; and
(c) a feed stream distribution mechanism between the spray assembly and the melt tray assembly,
wherein the feed stream comprises a liquid portion and a vapor portion; a first inlet for directly introducing the vapor portion to the feed stream distribution mechanism
wherein the feed stream distribution mechanism is constructed and arranged to uniformly distribute the vapor portion of the feed stream, in the controlled freeze zone section;
wherein the feed stream distribution mechanism comprises a pipe header having a plurality of orifices that are distributed in pairs along a lower half of the pipe header, and wherein the upper half of the pipe header does not comprise orifices;
wherein the feed stream distribution mechanism is configured such that the plurality of orifices are angled downwards towards the controlled freeze zone lower section and such that the pairs of orifices operate to direct the feed stream vapor portion downward when the feed stream vapor portion first exits the orifices and then direct the feed stream vapor portion upwards along the outer surface of the lower half of the pipe header towards the spray assembly;
wherein the feed stream distribution mechanism operates to direct the vapor portion of the feed stream downward and toward the melt tray assembly; and
a second inlet, at a different location from the first inlet, for directly introducing the liquid portion into the distillation column at the melt tray assembly.

US Pat. No. 10,139,157

NGL RECOVERY FROM NATURAL GAS USING A MIXED REFRIGERANT

1. A process for recovering natural gas liquids (NGL) from a hydrocarbon-containing feed gas stream, said process comprising:(a) cooling and at least partially condensing a hydrocarbon-containing feed gas stream to thereby provide a cooled feed gas stream, wherein at least a portion of said cooling is carried out via indirect heat exchange with a mixed refrigerant stream in a first heat exchanger of a closed-loop mixed refrigerant refrigeration cycle;
(b) separating said cooled feed gas stream into a first vapor stream and a first liquid stream in a vapor-liquid separator;
(c) splitting said first vapor stream into a first vapor portion and a second vapor portion;
(d) cooling at least a portion of said first vapor portion in said first heat exchanger to thereby provide a cooled first vapor stream, wherein at least a portion of said cooling is carried out via indirect heat exchange with said mixed refrigerant stream used to perform said cooling of step (a);
(e) flashing said cooled first vapor stream to thereby provide a first flashed stream;
(f) flashing said second vapor portion to thereby provide a second flashed stream;
(g) flashing the entire first liquid stream to provide a two-phase fluid stream having a vapor fraction of at least 0.10;
(h) introducing said first flashed stream, the entire two-phase fluid stream, and said second flashed stream into a distillation column via respective first, second, and third fluid inlets of said distillation column, wherein said first fluid inlet is located at a higher separation stage than said second and said third fluid inlets, and wherein said third fluid inlet is located at the same separation stage or at a lower separation stage than said second fluid inlet; and
(i) recovering an overhead residue gas stream and a liquid bottoms product stream from said distillation column, wherein said recovering step includes operating said distillation column in a C2 recovery mode or a C2 rejection mode,
wherein, when said distillation column is operated in said C2 recovery mode, said liquid bottoms product stream comprises at least 90 percent of the total moles of C2 components in said hydrocarbon-containing feed gas stream introduced into said first heat exchanger and said overhead residue gas stream comprises less than 10 percent of the total moles of C2 components in said hydrocarbon-containing feed gas stream introduced into said first heat exchanger, and
wherein, when said distillation column is operated in a C2 rejection mode, said liquid bottoms product stream comprises less than 30 percent of the total moles of C2 components in said hydrocarbon-containing feed gas stream introduced into said first heat exchanger and said overhead residue gas stream comprises at least 70 percent of the total moles of C2 components in said hydrocarbon containing feed gas stream introduced into said first heat exchanger,
wherein prior to step (a), said mixed refrigerant stream is compressed, cooled, and expanded to thereby generate refrigeration, wherein at least a portion of said refrigeration is used to accomplish at least a portion of said cooling of step (a) and at least a portion of said cooling of step (d).

US Pat. No. 10,139,156

LED LIGHTING ARRAY SYSTEM FOR ILLUMINATING A DISPLAY CASE

1. A lighting array system featuring light emitting diodes (LEDs) for use with at least one support member within a refrigerated cooler to illuminate products residing within the cooler, the lighting array system comprising:at least one module configured to be installed within a support member of the cooler, each module comprising:
a housing having a first side aperture and a second side aperture in an opposed positional relationship, a first internal reflecting surface extending outward from the first side aperture to a peripheral wall, and a second internal reflecting surface extending outward from the second side aperture to the peripheral wall;
an external lens configured to substantially mate with an upper extent of the housing; and
a light engine positioned within a receiver of the housing, the light engine including a first group of side-emitting LEDs associated with the first side aperture and a second group of side-emitting LEDs associated with the second side aperture,
wherein during operation of the lighting array system, a first portion of light generated by said first and second group of side-emitting LEDs is discharged through said apertures and the lens, and a second portion of light generated by said first and second group of side-emitting LEDs is redirected by the reflecting surface through said apertures and the lens.

US Pat. No. 10,139,155

REFRIGERATOR

1. A refrigerator comprising:a food storage chamber comprising at least one wall;
a shelf holder installed on a wall of the food storage chamber, the shelf holder having a plurality of holes spaced apart from one another along a vertical direction;
a shelf assembly attachable to the shelf holder via at least one of the plurality of holes;
an electronic device provided on the shelf assembly;
a holder terminal unit provided between the shelf holder and the wall, the holder terminal unit having at least one holder-side terminal disposed to face at least one of the plurality of holes; and
a shelf terminal unit provided at a side of the shelf assembly that is configured to attach to the shelf holder, the shelf terminal unit comprising:
at least one pin provided on the shelf terminal unit and configured to electrically connect to the at least one holder-side terminal in a state in which the shelf assembly is attached to the shelf holder, the at least one pin being electrically connected to the electronic device provided on the shelf assembly, and
at least one elastic component coupled to the at least one pin and configured to, in a state in which the shelf assembly is attached to the shelf holder, exert a restoring force on the at least one pin in a direction towards the at least one holder-side terminal of the holder terminal unit.

US Pat. No. 10,139,154

REFRIGERATOR

1. A refrigerator comprising:a cabinet having a storage compartment;
a door hingedly connected to the cabinet for opening and closing the storage compartment;
a drawer provided in the storage compartment;
a sensor for sensing whether the door is open;
an electric driving unit comprising a motor assembly and a moving frame configured to be movable forward and rearward by driving of the motor assembly, the electric driving unit being configured to move the drawer to a manipulating position spaced apart forward from an initial position by a predetermined distance through forward movement of the moving frame when it is sensed that the door is open; and
a rail configured to allow the drawer to move forward and rearward relative-to the storage compartment, wherein
the electric driving unit is driven to return the moving frame to the initial position after the moving frame is moved to the manipulating position, wherein the moving frame is connected with the drawer so as to apply a force to the drawer in a direction in which the drawer is withdrawn from the initial position to the manipulating position, and wherein the moving frame is disconnected from the drawer so as not to apply a force to the drawer in a direction in which the drawer is inserted from the manipulating position to the initial position.

US Pat. No. 10,139,153

FOOD STORAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD

1. A food storage system comprising:one or more modular assemblies having a housing unit having top, bottom, sides and back each having interior and exterior surfaces and defining an interior space wherein the interior surfaces accept one or more drawers,
the one or more drawers having an interior portion with front, back, bottom and sides each having interior and exterior surfaces and defining an interior storage space and having a drawer top peripheral edge and a drawer peripheral support edge, the one or more drawers being accessible from a substantially open top and configured to receive a plurality of trays,
each of the drawer front, back and sides having a top and bottom edge,
one or more drawer covers having bottom and top surfaces manufactured from a translucent material selected from the group consisting of silicone, rubber or vinyl,
one or more trays positioned within the one or more drawers, each tray having a front, back, bottom and sides and defining an interior storage space and having a tray top peripheral edge,
wherein the tray top peripheral edge of the one or more trays is substantially the same height as the drawer peripheral support edge of the one or more drawers when the one or more trays are positioned within the interior storage space of the one or more drawers,
wherein the bottom surface of each of the one or more drawer covers is smooth and seals the drawer peripheral support edge of the one or more drawers as well as the tray top peripheral edge of the one or more trays positioned within the storage space of the one or more drawers via direct contact between the bottom surface of the drawer covers and the top peripheral edges of the trays; wherein each drawer cover is able to seal the drawer peripheral support edge and the tray top peripheral edges regardless of the shape or dimension of the tray top peripheral edges; and
wherein the one or more drawer covers are configured to be removed from the housing.

US Pat. No. 10,139,151

REFRIGERATOR WITH ICE MOLD CHILLED BY AIR EXCHANGE COOLED BY FLUID FROM FREEZER

1. A refrigerator that has a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment, and a door that provides access to the fresh food compartment, the refrigerator comprising:a cooling application and a heating application;
a thermoelectric device;
a fluid supply pathway in communication between the thermoelectric device and each of the cooling application and the heating application, wherein the thermoelectric device cools a fluid moving through the fluid supply pathway to the cooling application and warms a fluid moving through the fluid supply pathway to the heating application;
a fan positioned to move air through the fluid supply pathway to each of the cooling application and the heating application;
a flow pathway in communication between the thermoelectric device and the freezer compartment; and
an air return pathway in communication between the fresh food compartment and at least one of the cooling application and the heating application for exhausting air to the fresh food compartment.

US Pat. No. 10,139,150

APPARATUS, METHOD, AND SYSTEM FOR FILTERING AIR TO AND FROM A REFRIGERATED COMPARTMENT OF A REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE

1. A refrigerator, comprising:a cabinet body;
an interior liner in the cabinet body defining at least a portion of an interior space; and
an air filter assembly positioned in the interior liner, the air filter assembly comprising:
a surface facing the interior space, defining an outer perimeter, and generally flush with the liner;
a luminous frame around the outer perimeter of the surface;
an air filter covered by and recessed from the surface; and
a first air path from the interior space through the filter.

US Pat. No. 10,139,149

REFRIGERATOR AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME

1. A refrigerator comprising:a compressor;
a condenser configured to condense refrigerant compressed by the compressor;
a freezing chamber evaporator and a refrigerating chamber evaporator connected in parallel to each other at an outlet of the condenser;
a flow passage switching valve configured to switch a flow passage of the refrigerant in a manner that the refrigerant flows toward one of the freezing chamber evaporator and the refrigerating chamber evaporator;
a temperature sensor configured to detect an outdoor air temperature; and
a controller configured to
when an operation of the compressor is started at a first time and prior to expiration of a first time period, control the flow passage switching valve in a manner that a first refrigerant recovery operation from one of the freezing chamber evaporator and the refrigerating chamber evaporator is performed, and
determine a second time at which the operation of the compressor is to be stopped and control the flow passage switching valve in a manner that a second refrigerant recovery operation from the one of the freezing chamber evaporator and the refrigerating chamber evaporator is performed during a second time period prior to the second time,
wherein the controller variably controls the first time period of the first refrigerant recovery operation and the second time period of the second refrigerant recovery operation according to the detected outdoor air temperature.

US Pat. No. 10,139,148

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR COOLING LIQUIDS IN PORTABLE CONTAINERS

1. A cooling apparatus comprising:a first longitudinal body having a first outer surface and a first inner surface, the first inner surface defining an internal chamber having first and second ends,
a second longitudinal body disposed inside the first longitudinal body, the second longitudinal body having a second outer surface and a second inner surface, the second outer surface facing and being spaced-apart from the first inner surface of the first longitudinal body, the second inner surface defining an internal cavity having first and second ends, the first end being disposed in proximity to the first end of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body, the second end being disposed in proximity to the second end of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body,
a tortuous conduit disposed between and along a length of the first and second longitudinal bodies, the tortuous conduit being defined in part by the inner surface of the first longitudinal body, the tortuous conduit having an outlet and an inlet that are respectively disposed in proximity to the first and second ends of the internal chamber of the first longitudinal body, the tortuous conduit outlet being in fluid communication with the internal cavity of the second longitudinal body, the tortuous conduit comprising a plurality of flow constrictors disposed within an intermediate portion thereof, the plurality of flow constrictors having different cross-sectional areas than one another.

US Pat. No. 10,139,147

REFRIGERATOR WITH ICE CONTAINER

1. A refrigerator, comprising:a body having at least one storage chamber;
at least one door rotatably mounted to the body to open or close the at least one storage chamber;
an ice container detachably mounted to the at least one door or the body, the ice container including:
a discharge passage provided in the ice container and having a discharge opening to discharge ice; and
an ice conveyer mounted in the ice container to discharge the ice moved by gravity as ice cubes or broken ice, selectively, wherein the ice conveyer includes:
a rotational shaft connected to a motor;
a plurality of rotary blades mounted to the rotational shaft;
a plurality of fixed blades that are each mounted between adjacent pairs of the rotary blades to apply a pressure to the ice together with the plurality of rotary blades to break the ice when the plurality of rotary blades rotates in a first direction;
a plurality of spacers coupled to the rotational shaft to fixedly secure the plurality of rotary blades at predetermined positions, respectively; and
a pin configured to be inserted in a first hole formed in an end of the rotational shaft and in a second hole formed in a spacer of the plurality of spacers coupled to the end by press fitting to secure the plurality of rotary blades and the plurality of fixed blades to the rotational shaft,
wherein the rotational shaft includes a non-circular shank having a first flat surface and a second flat surface that is opposite to the first flat surface, and the first hole passes through the first flat surface and the second flat surface.

US Pat. No. 10,139,146

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DRIVING ICEMAKER OF REFRIGERATOR

1. A method for driving an icemaker of a refrigerator, the icemaker including a driving motor, a cam gear which is interlocked with and is rotated by the driving motor and which is positioned in an original position, an ice-detecting lever which is interlocked with the cam gear and revolves about a point, an ice-full state sensing unit which is interlocked with the ice-detecting lever and determines an ice-full state and which generates an ice-full state signal, an ice-detecting arm which is located at a bottom of the icemaker when the cam gear is positioned in the original position and which is interlocked with the cam gear and contacts ice cubes, an ejector which is interlocked with the cam gear and ejects ice cubes, and a housing which houses the driving motor, the cam gear, the ice-detecting lever and the ice-full state sensing unit, the method comprising:rotating the cam gear, the ejector and the ice-detecting arm from the original position by a predetermined angle in a reverse direction, which is a direction opposite to an ice-ejecting direction, by the driving motor to determine the ice-full state;
rotating the cam gear in a normal direction, which is the ice-ejecting direction, by the driving motor such that the ice-detecting arm is located at the bottom of the icemaker and the cam gear returns to the original position when the ice-full state signal is generated while the cam gear, the ejector and the ice-detecting arm are rotated in the reverse direction;
rotating the cam gear in the normal direction by the driving motor such that the ejector ejects the ice cubes and the ice-detecting arm is located at the bottom of the icemaker and the cam gear returns to the original position when the ice-full state signal is not generated while the cam gear, the ejector and the ice-detecting arm are rotated by the predetermined angle in the reverse direction, and
controlling the cam gear or the ejector to be maintained at a specified position,
wherein the ice-full state sensing unit includes an ice-full state sensing lever which is interlocked with the cam gear and revolves in upward and downward directions, an ice-full state sensing magnet which is mounted to the ice-full state sensing lever, and an ice-full state sensing sensor which is fixed to a side of the housing and is caused to face the ice-full state sensing magnet by revolving of the ice-full state sensing lever,
wherein the ice-full state is determined in such a manner that the ice-full state signal is generated in the case of the ice-full state as the ice-full state sensing lever is caused not to face the ice-full state sensing sensor and the ice-full state signal is not generated in the case of not the ice-full state as the ice-full state sensing lever is caused to face the ice-full state sensing sensor, and
wherein controlling the cam gear or the ejector includes:
causing the ice-full state sensing lever not to face the ice-full state sensing sensor such that the ice-full state signal is generated for a time longer than a case of the ice-full state when the cam gear is at the specified position; and
rotating the cam gear oppositely by a preselected angle from an ending time of the ice-full state signal such that the cam gear or the ejector is maintained at the specified position when, while the cam gear is rotated in the reverse direction, the ice-full state signal generated by the ice-full state sensing sensor is generated for a time longer than a predetermined time.

US Pat. No. 10,139,145

FILTERS FOR STAND-ALONE ICE MAKING APPLIANCES

1. A stand-alone ice making appliance, comprising:a container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice;
a water tank, the water tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of water;
a pump in fluid communication with the second storage volume for actively flowing water from the water tank;
an ice maker, the ice maker in fluid communication with the pump for receiving water from the pump, wherein the ice maker comprises an auger at least partially surrounded by a casing and a sealed refrigeration system in thermal communication with the casing;
a filter, the filter comprising a filter medium operable to remove contaminants from water flowing through the filter medium, the filter positioned upstream of the ice maker in a flow direction of water from the second storage volume to the ice maker; and
a chute extending between the ice maker and the container for directing ice produced by the ice maker towards the first storage volume.

US Pat. No. 10,139,144

AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS

1. An air conditioning apparatusa plurality of indoor units;
an outdoor unit having a compressor, the air conditioning apparatus performing an air conditioning operation so that an indoor temperature at each indoor unit arrives at a target indoor temperature at each indoor unit; and
a controller configured to control a rotation speed of the compressor based on a request value concerning air conditioning capacity at each indoor unit during the air conditioning operation,
the controller performing a start/stop frequency-reducing rotation speed control in which the rotation speed of the compressor is controlled based on of the request values from the indoor units requesting a decrease in air conditioning capacity, disregarding the request values from the indoor units requesting an increase in air conditioning capacity, when each indoor temperature at all indoor units performing the air conditioning operation is within a scope of a prescribed threshold temperature range surrounding the target indoor temperature at each indoor unit performing the air conditioning operation.

US Pat. No. 10,139,143

AIR CONDITIONER WITH MULTIPLE EXPANSION DEVICES

1. An air conditioner comprising:a condenser including an outlet;
one or more compressors, the one or more compressors comprising:
a low compressor setting; and
a first and a second high compressor settings, wherein a volumetric flow rate of refrigerant exiting the one or more compressors is greater at the first and second high compressor settings than at the low compressor setting;
a first expansion device fluidly coupled to the set of compressors such that the first expansion device permits fluid to exit the first expansion device at a first flow rate, wherein the first expansion device is an electronic expansion valve;
a second expansion device fluidly coupled to the one or more compressors such that the second expansion device permits fluid to exit the second expansion device at a second flow rate, wherein the first expansion device and the second expansion device are coupled in parallel;
a controller coupled to a plurality of components of the air conditioner, the controller comprising a memory storing an operation module and an expansion device management module each being executable by a processor, wherein the controller is operable to:
via the operation module, receive requests for operation and determine response to the requests for operation and operate the plurality of components of the air conditioner;
via the expansion device management module, allow operations of the air conditioner, comprising:
measure a flow rate in the air conditioner;
compare the measured flow rate to a plurality of flow rate ranges stored in a memory, the plurality of flow rate ranges associated with the low, first high, and second high compressor settings;
allow refrigerant from the outlet of the condenser to flow through the first expansion device if the measured flow rate is associated with the low compressor setting;
allow refrigerant from the outlet of the condenser to flow through the second expansion device if the measured flow rate is associated with the first high compressor setting; and
allow refrigerant from the outlet of the condenser to flow through the first and second expansion devices if the measured flow rate is associated with the second high compressor setting.

US Pat. No. 10,139,142

REFRIGERATION CYCLE APPARATUS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF BRANCH UNITS

1. A refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising:a heat source unit including a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger;
a plurality of branch units each including a plurality of intermediate heat exchangers configured to heat exchange between refrigerant and a heat medium and a plurality of expansion devices for refrigerant corresponding the intermediate heat exchangers;
a plurality of use side units that receive the heat medium from the branch units;
a refrigerant circuit including a high-pressure refrigerant pipe, a low-pressure refrigerant pipe, and an intermediate-pressure refrigerant pipe, the high-pressure refrigerant pipe and the low-pressure refrigerant pipe respectively connecting the heat source unit to each of the branch units, the intermediate-pressure refrigerant pipe connecting the branch units to each other;
a plurality of high-pressure detecting devices including a high-pressure detecting device provided in each of the branch units configured to detect a pressure of the refrigerant passing through the high-pressure refrigerant pipe; and
a plurality of intermediate-pressure detecting devices including an intermediate-pressure detecting device provided in each of the branch units configured to detect a pressure of the refrigerant passing through the intermediate-pressure refrigerant pipe,
at least one of the branch units being a first branch unit having a minimum pressure loss in distribution of refrigerant in the high-pressure refrigerant pipe connecting the heat source unit to the first branch unit,
at least another of the branch units being a second branch unit having a maximum pressure loss in distribution of refrigerant in the high-pressure refrigerant pipe connecting the heat source unit to the second branch unit,
at least one of the plurality of the expansion devices is configured to have an opening degree which allows a differential pressure between a refrigerant pressure detected by the high-pressure detecting device of the first branch unit and a refrigerant pressure detected by the intermediate-pressure detecting device of the first branch unit is greater than or equal to a set value.

US Pat. No. 10,139,141

COMBINED CONDENSOR AND EVAPORATOR

1. A combined evaporator and condenser comprising:a plurality of stacked heat exchanger plates provided with a pressed pattern of ridges and grooves for keeping the plates on a distance from one another;
wherein a first group of consecutive stacked plates of said heat exchanger plates define interplate flow channels between immediately adjacent plates of said first group of plates, defining an evaporator portion of the combined evaporator and condenser;
wherein a second group of consecutive stacked plates of said heat exchanger plates define interplate flow channels between immediately adjacent plates of said second group of plates, defining a condenser portion of the combined evaporator and condenser;
a pair of consecutive stacked plates of said heat exchanger plates defining a blind channel, wherein the blind channel is located between the condenser portion and the evaporator portion for thermally insulating the condenser portion and the evaporator portion;
wherein the evaporator portion has a coolant outlet connectable to an expansion valve;
wherein a connection between the condenser portion and the expansion valve comprises a pipe that extends sequentially from the outlet of the condenser portion, through the blind channel, through the evaporator portion, and through an outermost plate of the evaporator portion where the pipe is connected to the expansion valve.

US Pat. No. 10,139,140

REFRIGERANT DISTRIBUTION DEVICE AND HEAT EXCHANGER HAVING SAME

1. A refrigerant distributing device, comprising:a distributing structure comprising a plurality of distributing pipes, at least one of the plurality of distributing pipes being provided with a distributing hole, at least two of the plurality of distributing pipes intersecting with each other; and
an adapting block provided with an adapting chamber, and connected to the distributing structure such that the adapting chamber is communicated with an inner chamber of the distributing pipe;
wherein the plurality of distributing pipes comprises a plurality of straight pipes and a plurality of multi-way pipes.

US Pat. No. 10,139,139

REFRIGERATION CYCLE AND REFRIGERATOR HAVING THE SAME

1. A refrigeration cycle comprising:a first refrigerant circuit configured to cause a refrigerant ejected from a compressor to flow, in order, through a condenser, an ejector, a first evaporator disposed in a first cooling chamber, and a second evaporator disposed in a second cooling chamber, and then back to the compressor;
a second refrigerant circuit configured to cause the refrigerant to bypass the first evaporator in the first refrigerant circuit; and
a third refrigerant circuit branching at a junction provided at a downstream end of the condenser from at least one of the first refrigerant circuit and the second refrigerant circuit, and configured to cause the refrigerant to flow from the junction through, in order, an expansion valve and a third evaporator disposed in the second cooling chamber, and then to the ejector, wherein
the expansion valve includes:
a first expansion valve, and
a second expansion valve disposed in series with the first expansion valve, and the third refrigerant circuit comprises:
a third-a refrigerant circuit configured to cause the refrigerant to pass through the first expansion valve provided at an upstream end of the third evaporator, and
a third-b refrigerant circuit configured to cause the refrigerant to pass through the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve,
the refrigerant flows through the first refrigerant circuit and the third-a refrigerant circuit in a whole cooling mode for cooling the first and second cooling chambers, and
the refrigerant flows through the second refrigerant circuit and the third-b refrigerant circuit in a freezing/cooling mode for cooling the second cooling chamber to be lower than a temperature of the whole cooling mode.

US Pat. No. 10,139,138

APPARATUS FOR REDUCING NOISE IN A CRYOCOOLER SUCH AS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEMS

1. An assembly for operating a cryocooler pedestal, the assembly being operable when in use to provide a cryocooler pedestal with cyclical gaseous connection to high pressure and low pressure gas supply lines, the assembly having a return conduit through which gas is caused to flow from the cryocooler pedestal into the low pressure supply line, wherein the assembly further comprises a dispersion chamber adjacent the return conduit and in flow communication therewith through a plurality of orifices so as to reduce acoustic noise, and wherein each of the return conduit and the dispersion chamber is located within a valve head of the assembly.

US Pat. No. 10,139,137

HEAT EXCHANGER REACTIVE TO INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL TEMPERATURES

1. A heat exchanger reactive to external and internal temperatures for carrying a working fluid, said heat exchanger comprising:a first pipe having an inner surface and an outer surface and with a first coefficient of thermal expansion, said first pipe having a cross-section with a first channel portion and a first stress relief portion parallel to an axis of said first pipe, said first stress relief portion defining a volume and protruding toward the axis of said first pipe with the volume provided for containing the working fluid within the inner surface thereof;
a second pipe having an inner surface and an outer surface and with a second coefficient of thermal expansion, said second pipe having a cross section with a second channel portion, said second pipe positioned co-axially with and enclosing said first pipe, the inner surface of said second pipe being in contact with the outer surface of said first pipe as an interference fit, and said second pipe positioned rotationally about said axis of said first pipe relative to said first pipe such the channel portion of said second pipe is rotationally aligned with the channel portion of said first pipe;
a third pipe having an inner surface and an outer surface and with a third coefficient of thermal expansion, said third pipe positioned parallel to and enclosing said second pipe, with said third pipe having a cross-section with a third channel portion;
a fourth pipe having an inner surface and an outer surface and with a fourth coefficient of thermal expansion, said fourth pipe having a cross-section with a fourth channel portion and a second stress relief portion parallel to an axis of said fourth pipe with said second stress-relief portion having a volume and protruding away from the axis of said first pipe, said fourth pipe positioned co-axially with and encompassing said third pipe and positioned rotationally about the axis of said third pipe relative to said third pipe such the inner surface of said fourth pipe is in contact with the outer surface of said third pipe with an interference fit; and
a fluid positioned in the space defined by the inner surface of said third pipe and the outer surface of said second pipe;
wherein said first and second pipes and said third and fourth pipes have a first position responsive to the internal and external temperatures in which a space defined between said second and third pipes is minimized and a second position responsive to different internal and external temperatures in which the space defined between said second and third pipes is maximized by expansion and contraction of said first pipe, of said second pipe, of said third pipe, and of said fourth pipe in response to differences in coefficients of thermal expansion.

US Pat. No. 10,139,136

NEXT GENERATION BARE WIRE WATER HEATER

1. A heating device comprising:a retention device;
a tube having a flange and at least one indexed groove located along a length of the tube, wherein the at least one indexed groove contains the retention device; and
at least one electrical resistance heating element having a first end connected to the tube via the flange and a second end connected to the tube via the retention device; and
a heating chamber that encloses and surrounds the exterior surface of the tube thereby creating a first flow path therebetween, the heating chamber including at least one opening along the length of the tube.

US Pat. No. 10,139,135

AUTOMATIC HOT WATER PULSATING ALARM FOR WATER HEATERS

1. A hot water pulsating alarm system for water heaters comprising a controller, a temperature sensor secured to a water tank of said water heater in an upper region of said water tank where hot water is drawn through a water outlet to feed a hot water supply conduit, said temperature sensor feeding temperature signals to said controller representative of actual water temperature in said upper region of said water tank, a domestic water supply conduit to feed water under pressure to a water inlet conduit of said water tank to replenish water in said water tank drawn through said water outlet, a shut-off valve secured to said water inlet conduit, a communication link between said controller and said shut-off valve for operating the state of said shut-off valve, said controller having a computer readable memory having recorded thereon statements and instructions for executing by a computer said statements and instructions when receiving predetermined temperature signals from said temperature sensor, said controller when receiving a predetermined low temperature signal from said sensor causing said shut-off valve to be operated to close and open in a predetermined sequence and during a predetermined time period to cause interruptions of said water under pressure to said water inlet and consequently to said feed of hot water to said hot water supply conduit in the event that hot water is being drawn to create a pulsating water temperature change of water being drawn through fixtures connected to said hot water supply conduit and which temperature change constitutes a pulsating signal to a user person having a body part in contact with said pulsating water temperature change that said water heater will be shut off.

US Pat. No. 10,139,134

SAMPLE HEATING METHOD AND HEATING CONTROL DEVICE

1. A sample heating method which uses a microchip, comprising the steps of:wherein the microchip includes: a vessel portion in which at least a portion is configured of an elastic member; and a flow channel which leads a liquid sample to the vessel portion,
heating the liquid sample while applying pressure to the liquid sample from outside of the vessel portion,
wherein the microchip further includes an expansion limiting member which is provided around the vessel portion and limits expansion of the elastic member,
wherein at least a portion of the expansion limiting member is configured of either a heat generation member or a heat transfer member, and
wherein the liquid sample is heated in a state where pressure is applied with respect to the inner portion of the vessel portion and thus, the vessel portion contacts either the heat generation member or the heat transfer member of the expansion limiting member.

US Pat. No. 10,139,133

IN-LINE HEATER

1. An in-line heater for high purity fluids, comprising:a heating vessel, defined at least in part by a wall, through which high purity fluid to be heated flows;
a port comprising a first aperture formed through the wall of the vessel, a second aperture of greater diameter than the first aperture extending into the wall generally concentric with the first aperture and a ring or groove formed in the wall between the first and second apertures so as to face an open end of the second aperture; and
a fitting attached to the port and having a body defining a pass-through passageway, a peripheral outer surface of the body having threads engaging threads of an inner surface of the second aperture of the port and a face of a free end of the body of the fitting having a groove or a ring which mates with the corresponding ring or groove of the port to form a liquid seal between the end of the fitting and the wall of the vessel and a liquid seal between the end of the fitting and the peripheral outer surface of the body to prevent high purity fluid from contacting the threads of the port and fitting.

US Pat. No. 10,139,132

APPARATUS FOR THERMAL CONTROL OF TUBING ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

1. A tubing assembly, comprising:a plurality of tubing structures connected to each other in a configuration providing one or more fluid pathways through the plurality of tubing structures from a fluid entrance of the plurality of tubing structures to a fluid exit of the plurality of tubing structures;
an electrical resistance heating filament wire wound around the plurality of tubing structures in an unbroken manner from the fluid entrance of the plurality of tubing structures to the fluid exit of the plurality of tubing structures, the electrical resistance heating filament wire having a first electrical lead located proximate to the fluid entrance of the plurality of tubing structures and a second electrical lead located proximate to the fluid exit of the plurality of tubing structures;
a layer of a dielectric material disposed on the plurality of tubing structures, the electrical resistance heating filament wire wound around the plurality of tubing structures so as to be in contact with an exposed outer surface of the layer of the dielectric material; and
an encapsulation layer of thermal insulating material disposed over an entirety of the plurality of tubing structures and covering the electrical resistance heating filament wire wound around the plurality of tubing structures with the first and second electrical leads exposed.

US Pat. No. 10,139,131

FLUID HEATER WITH PERFORATED FLAME HOLDER, AND METHOD OF OPERATION

1. A method of operating a fluid heater, comprising:detecting a temperature of a fluid inside a tank;
if the detected temperature of the fluid is below a first temperature threshold, supporting a flame inside a flue that extends through the tank, and repeating the step of detecting a temperature;
transferring heat generated by the flame to fluid inside the tank;
if the detected temperature of the fluid is above a second temperature threshold, greater than the first temperature threshold, and if a flame is present inside the flue, extinguishing the flame, and repeating the step of detecting a temperature; and
if the detected temperature of the fluid is above the second temperature threshold, and if a flame is not present inside the flue, repeating the step of detecting a temperature.

US Pat. No. 10,139,130

UREA TANK AND BASE PLATE WITH AN INTEGRATED HEATING ELEMENT

1. A urea tank comprising:an integrated heating element comprising at least one flexible heating part which is a flexible heater comprising at least one resistive track placed between two flexible films made of plastic, and
a substantially cylindrical support including a plurality of openings,
wherein the flexible heater comprises a body and a plurality of excrescences that extend from the body and are equipped with at least one part of the resistive track, each of the excrescences passing through a respective one of the openings.

US Pat. No. 10,139,129

WATER HEATER HAVING THERMAL DISPLACEMENT CONDUIT

1. A water heater comprising:a tank containing water to be heated;
a cold water inlet for interfacing between a cold water supply pipe and the water tank for the supply of cold water to the tank;
a heat source for heating the water in the tank;
a receptacle; and
a thermal displacement conduit communicating between a portion of the tank and the receptacle, such that water is displaced from the portion of the tank, through the conduit, to the receptacle during thermal expansion of the water during heating,
wherein the tank includes a drain valve assembly for draining water from the tank, and
wherein the thermal displacement conduit communicates between the drain valve assembly and the cold water inlet for delivery of displaced water from the drain valve assembly to the cold water inlet.

US Pat. No. 10,139,128

PRESSURE TANK FOR A WATER HEATER IN STAINLESS STEEL, AND ALSO A METHOD FOR MANUFACTURE OF A PRESSURE TANK

1. A pressure tank for a water heater of stainless steel, the tank being a hollow body, the tank comprising:a circular-cylindrical middle portion, and hemispherical end portions, a length of the cylindrical middle portion being greater than a diameter of the cylindrical middle portion;
wherein the cylindrical middle portion comprises two identical deep drawn tank halves each comprising half of said cylindrical middle portion and half of each hemispherical end portion, so that a common dividing plane of said tank halves coincides with a longitudinal axis of said tank;
said tank halves being welded together at said common dividing plane; and
the two tank halves, during the deep drawing, are provided with an encircling flange, said flange providing welding material for fusing together the two tank halves by welding of the flange by melting said flange and forming a surface that is largely flush with a tank wall, both on the inside and the outside and thereby avoiding any weld seam crevices on an inside of the tank.

US Pat. No. 10,139,127

COMBUSTION APPARATUS

1. A combustion apparatus comprising:a burner for combusting fuel gas to generate combustion exhaust gas;
a heat exchanger for recovering heat in the combustion exhaust gas to heat a heat medium, the heat exchanger being accommodated in a casing having a substantially quadrangular box shape;
an exhaust passage for discharging the combustion exhaust gas from an exhaust port, the exhaust passage being provided to one side surface side of the casing; and
an exhaust resistance member having a plurality of ventilation ports through which the combustion exhaust gas passes and being provided beneath the heat exchanger, wherein
the burner, the heat exchanger, and the exhaust passage are arranged in such a manner that the combustion exhaust gas flows from top to bottom through the heat exchanger in the casing, and further from beneath the casing to the exhaust port via the exhaust passage provided at the one side surface side of the casing, and
at least one part of the ventilation ports of the exhaust resistance member has an elongated hole shape extending in the flow direction of the combustion exhaust gas from beneath the casing to the exhaust passage.

US Pat. No. 10,139,126

AIRBORNE NOISE REDUCTION SYSTEM AND METHOD

1. An airborne noise reduction device, comprising:a fixed-volume container having a top side and a bottom side, two opposing flat ends, and two opposing symmetrical outwardly-extending non-flat sides;
an inlet port located on the bottom side and configured to face into a first room;
an outlet port located on the top side and configured to face into a return air system;
a diverter within an inside chamber centrally mounted to the two opposing flat ends of the fixed-volume container, wherein a diameter of the diverter is greater than a diameter of the top side and greater than a diameter of the bottom side, and wherein the diverter extends into the two opposing symmetrical outwardly-extending non-fiat sides; and
acoustic insulative material affixed to surfaces of the two opposing flat ends, the two opposing symmetrical non-flat sides, and the diverter within the inside chamber,
wherein a combination of a geometry of the fixed-volume container and an absorption coefficient of the acoustic insulative material is configured to reduce an apparent sound index value of a sound source emanating from a second room connected to the return air system and received into the first room.

US Pat. No. 10,139,125

AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS

1. An air-conditioning apparatus, comprising:a compressor configured to compress and discharge refrigerant;
a heat source device-side heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and a heat medium different from the refrigerant;
a plurality of use-side heat exchangers configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and a use-side medium around the plurality of use-side heat exchangers;
a relay device provided between the heat source device-side heat exchanger and the plurality of use-side heat exchangers, the relay device includes a gas-liquid separator, a flow regulator, an intermediate heat exchanger, and a relay controller configured to switch at least one of the plurality of use-side heat exchangers to a cooling operation and switch others of the plurality of use-side heat exchangers to a heating operation; and
at least one system including a heat-medium pump, a heat-medium flow regulator, and a heat-medium flow controller, as a heat medium system capable of regulating a flow rate of the heat medium supplied to the heat source device-side heat exchanger,
the compressor and the heat source device-side heat exchanger being arranged in a heat source device and the plurality of use-side heat exchangers being arranged in an indoor unit,
the air-conditioning apparatus being configured to switch each of the plurality of use-side heat exchangers to the cooling operation or the heating operation in accordance with a control command to perform a cooling and heating simultaneous operation,
the refrigerant being caused to flow through the heat source device-side heat exchanger depending on a ratio of a total cooling capacity and a total heating capacity of the plurality of use-side heat exchangers,
the heat-medium flow controller being configured to control the flow rate of the heat medium supplied to the heat source device-side heat exchanger based on the total cooling capacity and the total heating capacity of the plurality of use-side heat exchangers and a total operation capacity of the heat source device-side heat exchanger,
the heat-medium flow controller being configured to control the flow rate of the heat medium between a lower limit value of the heat medium defined by the heat source device and an upper limit value of a flow rate corresponding to a maximum opening degree of the heat-medium flow regulator, and
the heat-medium flow controller being configured to include a plurality of the lower limit values being set to be selectable depending on a characteristic of the heat-medium flow regulator.

US Pat. No. 10,139,124

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS USING ACCELEROMETERS

1. A method of monitoring component health of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the method comprising:measuring, by an accelerometer associated with at least one component of the HVAC system, of vibration of the at least one component;
receiving, by a controller, actual vibration data reflective of the measured vibration;
determining, using the controller, whether the actual vibration data differs from pre-defined acceptable baseline vibration data by more than an acceptable amount; and
responsive to a positive determination in the determining step, forwarding, by the controller, information regarding the determination to a monitoring device to monitor operation of the component.

1. An HVAC diagnostic system, comprising:a data network,
a diagnostic data bus,
an HVAC control bus independent of the diagnostic data bus operatively associated with at least one HVAC component;
a plurality of data gathering devices, each comprising:
a sensing interface configurable to measure an electrical property associated with one of the at least one HVAC components; and
a diagnostic interface in operative communication with the diagnostic data bus;
wherein each of the plurality of data gathering devices is configured to generate an exception message when the measured electrical property is anomalous;
wherein at least one of the plurality of data gathering devices further comprises a network interface in operative communication with the data network and configured to bridge the diagnostic data bus to the data network; and
a server in operative communication with the data network and configured to receive an exception message from one or more of the plurality of data gathering devices, calculate a probability of a fault occurring in an HVAC component based on the received exception message, and generate an alert in response to the probability of the fault exceeding a predetermined threshold.

US Pat. No. 10,139,121

AIR CONDITIONER

1. An air conditioner comprising:a cabinet;
a particle sensing unit coupled to an inside of the cabinet and configured to measure a particle concentration;
and an inlet provided at the cabinet and configured to communicate with the outside of the air conditioner so that particles flow into the particle sensing unit, wherein the particle sensing unit includes:
a first particle sensor configured to sense particles flowing through the first particle sensor from the inlet; and
a second particle sensor, coupled by a connection path to the first particle sensor, configured to sense the particles flowing through the second particle sensor and having passed through the first particle sensor,
wherein the inlet is configured to suction the air in an upward direction into the inlet and divert the suctioned air to flow into the first particle sensor in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the upward direction.

US Pat. No. 10,139,120

INTEGRATED VENTURI HEATING ELEMENTS FOR AIR CURTAINS

1. Integrated heating coil units for an air curtain comprises, an air curtain having a plurality of blower units, each blower unit having an axle impellor cage driven by a single electric motor there between,a housing for each of said impellor cage defining a directional nozzle outlet,
oppositely disposed equilateral air inlets in said housing aligned with said respective impellor cages, said integrated heating coil units comprises,
first heating coil assemblies overlying one of said air inlets in each of said housings having a coil support frame with spaced parallel coil end engagement flanges, interconnected top and bottom cross members,
a coil mounting bracket extending from said cross member secured to said housing for each of said impellor cages wherein said heating coil assemblies are powered by a power supply through a power distribution energizing circuit balance power distribution to respective coil pairs in parallel power orientation therewith,
second heating coil assemblies positioned partially around the perimeter of said remaining air intakes in each of said housings so that said first and second heating coil assemblies receive inlet air flow directly there through.

US Pat. No. 10,139,119

AIR CONDITIONER AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

1. An air conditioner comprising:a water tank to store water;
a humidification medium disposed above the water tank;
a watering housing to draw and spray the water stored in the water tank to supply the water to the humidification medium;
a watering motor to rotate the watering housing;
a visual body coupled to an upper part of the water tank to reflect and scatter the water sprayed from the watering housing;
a top cover assembly disposed at an upper end of the visual body, the top cover assembly having an outlet through which air is discharged;
a blower fan to blow air to the humidification medium;
a blower motor to rotate the blower fan;
an operation module to receive an instruction from a user and to set a sterilizing dry mode for sterilizing and drying the humidification medium;
a sterilization module to sterilize the humidification medium; and
a control unit to control the watering motor, the blower motor, and the sterilization module according to an instruction inputted to the operation module,
wherein the humidification medium comprises a material that is capable of containing moisture,
wherein the control unit stops an operation of the watering motor according to an instruction inputted to the operation module, operates the blower motor and the sterilization module when the sterilizing dry mode is set, and stops the operation of the sterilization module after a predetermined sterilizing dry time elapses,
wherein the watering housing comprises a nozzle for spraying water to an inner side surface of the visual body to supply moisture to the humidification medium,
wherein the nozzle is disposed higher than the humidification medium, and
wherein when blower motor is operated, air blown by the blower fan flows into a space formed between the visual body and the water tank, passes the humidification medium, and is discharged through the outlet.

US Pat. No. 10,139,118

AIR TREATMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD

1. An air treatment apparatus comprising:air treatment units each comprising:
an air inlet;
an air outlet;
an air treatment device located between the air inlet and the air outlet; and
connecting components,
wherein the air treatment device within the air treatment units comprises at least one of the following components: components for air purification and filtering, heating, dehumidifying, humidifying, air-cooling, and/or components of blow-through fan, a draw through fan, or a pump,
wherein the air treatment device in the air treatment units are of different types,
wherein the air treatment units are linkable and connectable by the connecting components, the connecting components further comprise a transmitter and a receiver,
wherein connection of the air treatment units is non-substantially performed,
wherein the air treatment units may operate in a first mode in which the air treatment units operate in coordination with one another together as a built system and a second mode in which the air treatment units operate alone as separate individual units, and
wherein the air treatment units are configured to operate in the first mode and the second mode according to at least one level obtained by at least one environmental sensor, the first mode and the second providing different air treatment efficiency and performance,
wherein the at least one environmental sensor is located off-site from the air treatment apparatus.

US Pat. No. 10,139,117

WALL-MOUNTED SMART DEHUMIDIFIER

1. A dehumidifier introducing external air through an air inlet to an inside thereof, dehumidifying the introduced air using a thermoelectric device powered on/off by a controller in the dehumidifier, and discharging the dehumidified air through an air outlet, wherein a dehumidifying space is formed on a water surface of a cooling water vessel containing cooling water, so that the air is introduced to the dehumidifying space and dehumidified by the cooling water, wherein the dehumidified air in the dehumidifying space is heated by a heating part of the thermoelectric device and is then discharged through the air outlet, wherein the cooling water in the cooling water vessel is circulated by a water pump and cooled through a cooling part of the thermoelectric device, wherein the cooling water vessel extends from a lower portion of the air inlet at a first side of the dehumidifier to a lower portion of the thermoelectric device at a second side of the dehumidifier, wherein the dehumidifying space is formed as a passage extending from the air inlet at the first side to the thermoelectric device at the second side, and wherein a first fan is provided at the air inlet so that the air introduced into the dehumidifying space by the first fan passes along the water surface of the cooling water contained in the cooling water vessel to the heating part of the thermoelectric device, wherein a second fan is provided at a lower end of the heating part of the thermoelectric device, wherein the air outlet is provided at an upper portion of the heating part of the thermoelectric device, and wherein the air in the dehumidifying space is ascended by the second fan and is discharged through the heating part of the thermoelectric device and through the air outlet, wherein the dehumidifier comprises a temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the cooling water in the cooling water vessel and a humidity sensor measuring a humidity of the external air, wherein the controller operates the first fan and the second fan when the humidity exceeds a predetermined threshold humidity to perform dehumidification, and when the temperature of the cooling water measured while the dehumidification exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature, the controller supplies electricity to the thermoelectric device while circulating the cooling water by the water pump so that the temperature of the cooling water remains at the threshold temperature or less.

US Pat. No. 10,139,116

BLENDED MEMBRANES FOR WATER VAPOR TRANSPORT AND METHODS FOR PREPARING SAME

1. A water vapor transport membrane comprising a microporous substrate and an air impermeable selective layer coated on a first surface of the substrate to form a substantially non-porous film thereupon, the selective layer comprising sulfonated polyether ether ketone (sPEEK) and cellulose acetate (CA) in an sPEEK:CA (wt.:wt.) ratio in the ramie of about 7:3 to about 2:3, wherein the acetyl content of the CA is in the range of about 20% to about 62%, the degree of sulfonation of the sPEEK is in the ramie of about 23% to about 100%, and the selective layer has a thickness of less than about 5 microns, wherein the sPEEK comprises sPEEK in a cation form.

US Pat. No. 10,139,115

AIR HANDLING UNIT WITH INNER WALL SPACE

1. An air handling unit comprising:a heat exchanger cabinet comprising:
an interior shell;
an outer skin associated with the interior shell to form a wall space at least partially bound by each of the interior shell and the outer skin; and
an enclosure disposed within the wall space, the enclosure including a front wall, a rear wall, an upper wall, a lower wall, an exterior side surface of the interior shell, and a cover, wherein each of the front wall, the rear wall, the upper wall, and the lower wall extend from the exterior side surface of the interior shell into the wall space to at least partially define an enclosure interior space;
wherein the cover is configured for attachment to the each of the front wall, the rear wall, the upper wall, and the lower wall to define an outer boundary of the enclosure interior space between the interior shell and the outer skin;
wherein the front wall is integral with the outer skin and defines an aperture for selective insertion and removal of a control component within the enclosure interior space while the cover remains disposed within the wall space; and
wherein insulation is disposed within the wall space to partially encapsulate the enclosure to form a pocket of space suitable for the selective insertion and removal of the control component through the aperture of the front wall while the cover remains disposed within the wall space.

US Pat. No. 10,139,114

METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION OF A WALL HEATING PANEL AND A WALL HEATING PANEL

1. A method for constructing a wall heating panel for a dry wall construction, comprising the steps of:forming, from an aluminium multi-channel profile, a collector having at least one horizontal phase transition channel and a water channel having stub pipes at both ends of the water channel for connecting the collector to a water heating installation;
permanently plugging the ends of the at least one phase transition channel;
connecting inseparably aluminium vertical heating elements, previously plugged at the top, with the at least one phase transition channel to form a system and checking the system for tightness;
removing air from the system and filling the system with a thermodynamic medium in an amount of up to 95% of the system volume and tightly closing the system;
inserting the vertical heating elements into previously made grooves of a dry wall construction board, such that the collector connected with the vertical heating elements adjoins a bottom edge of the dry wall construction board; and
coating free spaces of the grooves with the vertical heating elements by an elastic compound.

US Pat. No. 10,139,113

TABLETOP COOKING ASSEMBLY

1. A tabletop cooking assembly, comprising:a table frame;
a cooking element supported by said table frame;
a vent disposed peripherally to a side of said cooking element and defining an aperture for receiving smoke generated during preparation of food on said cooking element;
an exhaust duct, said exhaust duct being substantially unobstructed and in fluid communication with said vent for directing smoke away from said cooking element;
a filter assembly in fluid communication with said exhaust duct and comprising a filter disposed therein for filtering the smoke as the smoke passes through said filter assembly; and
a high velocity blower in fluid communication with said exhaust duct and said filter assembly for drawing smoke from said cooking element through said vent at a velocity greater than 750 feet per minute to substantially cool the smoke for improving removal of particles from the smoke.

US Pat. No. 10,139,112

ANNULAR COMBUSTION CHAMBER OF A GAS TURBINE AND GAS TURBINE WITH SUCH A COMBUSTION CHAMBER

1. An annular combustion chamber of a gas turbine having a machine axis, said combustion chamber comprising: a segmented outer liner and a segmented inner liner defining a first zone that receives a fuel/air mixture from a plurality of burners; a second zone that guides an axial flow of hot gases produced by said burners from said first zone to an entrance of a turbine section of said gas turbine; an annular transition liner comprising a plurality of transition liner segments circumferentially arranged about said machine axis at a transition between said first zone and said second zone; whereby each of said transition liner segments comprises, with respect to the axial hot gas flow, a leading edge, a trailing edge, and two sidewalls, the sidewalls defining cooling holes therethrough; whereby adjacent transition liner segments define a first gap therebetween, the first gap being in fluid communication with said cooling holes; whereby each said transition liner segment is provided with axially oriented hooks at said leading and trailing edges; and whereby local spacer ribs are provided at said leading edge of each said transition liner segment to establish a second gap of minimum width between each said transition liner segment and a respective upstream segment of said segmented outer liner or said segmented inner liner.

US Pat. No. 10,139,111

DUAL OUTLET NOZZLE FOR A SECONDARY FUEL STAGE OF A COMBUSTOR OF A GAS TURBINE ENGINE

1. A gas turbine engine comprising:a combustor with a main combustion zone to ignite working gas;
a primary fuel stage in fluid communication with said main combustion zone;
a secondary fuel stage positioned downstream of the main combustion zone, said secondary fuel stage comprising a nozzle configured as a split body nozzle comprising dual, curvilinear outlets to inject an air-fuel mixture into the combustor, the dual outlets oriented and adapted to direct a flow of said air-fuel mixture along respective directions including a respective circumferential direction proximate said dual outlets, in a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the combustor, the dual outlets arranged with a cross-sectional width selected to vary a dual split of the air-fuel mixture;
wherein the air-fuel mixture split along the respective directions including the respective circumferential outlet is configured to entrain the air-fuel mixture with the working gas such that a peak temperature profile has a convex perimeter.

US Pat. No. 10,139,110

BEARING ELEMENT TO CUSHION AXIAL DISPLACEMENTS OF A SLIDING TRAVERSE OF AN INJECTION SYSTEM FOR A TURBOMACHINE

1. An arrangement for a turbomachine combustion chamber, comprising:a fuel injector nozzle comprising an outer connection surface,
an injection system for a turbomachine, extending substantially longitudinally along an injection system axis and comprising:
a sliding traverse comprising a centring portion configured to house the injector nozzle, the centring portion comprising an internal centring surface configured to be in mechanical contact with the outer connection surface,
a supporting sole rigidly axially connected to the centring portion and protruding from the centring portion,
means for maintaining the sliding traverse which are delimiting between them a housing space for the supporting sole, wherein the means for maintaining the sliding traverse comprises a housing edge,
wherein the arrangement comprises means for recalling the sliding traverse, wherein the means for recalling includes at least one elastic element located in the housing space for the supporting sole,
wherein the elastic element is configured to cushion the axial displacements of the supporting sole relatively to the means for maintaining the sliding traverse, wherein the means for recalling the sliding traverse is configured to axially stress the supporting sole against axial displacements in the downstream direction of the sliding traverse relatively to the means for maintaining the sliding traverse,
wherein the outer connection surface and/or at least one portion of the internal centring surface narrows in the downstream direction, in such a way as to retain the injector nozzle relatively to the sliding traverse axially in the downstream direction, and
wherein the housing space is closed upstream by a closing element configured to retain the supporting sole axially in the housing space, further wherein the closing element is spaced from the supporting sole.

1. A method for regulating airflow within a gas turbine engine burner, comprising:providing a gas turbine engine, including a combustor section having a plurality of circumferentially oriented can-annular burners, each burner respectively having:
a basket having a basket circumferential outer wall, defining therein a compressed air and fuel axial thru-flow path across an air inlet plane, the thru-flow path having a thru-flow flow direction, and an airflow reversal region upstream of the air inlet plane relative to the thru-flow flow direction;
a plurality of premixers annularly arrayed about a pilot burner, all of which are oriented within the basket interior downstream of the air inlet plane relative to the thru-flow flow direction, and within the thru-flow path;
a flow conditioner coupled to the basket upstream of the air inlet plane and circumscribing the airflow reversal region, the flow conditioner defining an asymmetrical pattern of circumferential perforations that vary circumferential airflow locally from outside the basket into the airflow reversal region;
establishing respective uniform thru-flow path and overall circumferential airflow flow rate specifications common to all of the burners, for achieving defined engine fuel-air ratio (FAR) combustion parameters;
determining actual flow pattern variations in the respective thru-flow path for each respective burner across its respective air inlet plane;
determining a respective flow conditioner asymmetric perforation pattern for each respective burner what will mitigate thru-flow path airflow rate variations, including deviating from the established overall circumferential airflow flow rate specification; and
fabricating respective flow conditioners incorporating said respective determined asymmetric perforation pattern for installation in the gas turbine engine.

US Pat. No. 10,139,107

COMBUSTION CONTROLLING SYSTEM

1. A combustion controlling system comprising:a master device that controls opening and closing of a common safety shutoff valve collectively switching supply and shutoff of a fuel to a plurality of burners and generates a predetermined signal;
a plurality of slave devices that are provided corresponding to the respective burners, the plurality of slave devices configured to determine whether there is a flame in the corresponding respective burners, control an ignition of the corresponding respective burners, and output the input predetermined signal when it is determined that there is no flame before the ignition of the corresponding respective burners, and output no predetermined signal when it is determined that there is the flame before the ignition of the corresponding respective burners; and
a transmission line connected to the master device for transmitting the predetermined signal, wherein
the plurality of slave devices are connected in cascade, when all of the plurality of slave devices determine that there is no flame before the ignition of the corresponding respective burners, the predetermined signal input to an initial-stage slave device of the plurality of slave devices from the master device is sequentially output and output from a final-stage slave device of the plurality of slave devices to the transmission line, when any one of the plurality of slave devices determines that there is the flame before the ignition of the corresponding burner, the predetermined signal is not output from the final-stage slave device to the transmission line, and the master device controls the opening and closing of the safety shutoff valve based on whether the predetermined signal transmitted through the transmission line is input.

US Pat. No. 10,139,106

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF A BURNER

1. A method for controlling the operation of a burner, the burner including a control board (6) associated with a first control unit (2) and a first memory (3) capable of storing first values (?PF1,j, . . . , ?PFi,j, . . . , ?PFM,j) of operating parameters (PF1, . . . , PFi, . . . , PFM) of the burner, and a display device (7) for displaying one or more items of data relating to the functioning of the burner, the display device (7) including a second memory (5) capable of storing second values (??PF1,j, . . . , ??PFi,j, . . . , ??PFM,j) of operating parameters (PF1, . . . , PFi, . . . , PFM) of the burner, each first and second value (?PFi,j, ??PFi,j), of the operating parameters (PF1, . . . , PFi, . . . , PFM) being capable of being changed over time, the method comprising:setting for each operating parameter (PFi) at least one first value (?PFi,j) in the first memory (3), and setting for each operating parameter (PFi) at least one second value (??PFi,j) in the second memory (5), each of the first and second values being optimized based on operation of the burner;
comparing, for each operating parameter (PFi), a corresponding first value (?PFi,j) and second value (??PFi,j);
if the first value (?PFi,j) and the second value (??PFi,j) are different, changing one of the first or second values (?PFi,j), (??PFi,j) so that the first and second values (?PFi,j), (??PFi,j) are the same;
wherein the step of setting at least a first value (?PFi,j) and/or second value (??PFi,j) of at least one of the operating parameters (PF1, . . . , PFi, . . . , PFM) is performed through the display device (7).

US Pat. No. 10,139,105

METAL-CERAMIC COMPOUND GRATE BAR FOR WASTE INCINERATION

1. A grate bar comprising:a hull with a bottom and first and second side walls, said bottom and first and second side walls made of first sheet metal, at least one of the first and second side walls containing a recess;
a support structure inserted into said hull to form compartments between said hull and said support structure,
the support structure made of second sheet metal;
the compartments containing a ceramic material,wherein the support structure contains at least two pieces of the second sheet metal, each of the at least two pieces of the second sheet metal having first and second edge surfaces; wherein a first edge surface of the at least two pieces faces the first side wall while the second edge surface of the at least two pieces of the second sheet metal faces the second side wall; andwherein at least one of said at least two pieces of the second sheet metal engages in the recess.

US Pat. No. 10,139,104

HAND HELD FLOW-THROUGH STEAM SYSTEM

1. A steamer, comprising:a) a housing having a first end and a second opposite end and an opening for injecting steam into an interior of said housing;
b) a core having a first end, a second opposite end, and a plurality of holes for receiving said steam into an interior of said core, said core being positioned in said interior of said housing;
c) a first spacer extending to and between said first end of said housing and said first end of said core and a second spacer extending to and between said second opposite end of said housing and said second opposite end of said core, wherein said first spacer and said second spacer center said core within said interior of said housing, thereby forming a chamber in said interior of said housing that extends around an exterior of said core,
d) a first pathway extending through said first end of said housing, said second opposite end of said housing, said first end of said core, said second opposite end of said core, said first spacer and said second spacer, and
e) a second pathway extending through said opening in said housing and said plurality of holes in said core and into said first pathway,
f) wherein, when the steamer is fully assembled and in use, said housing, said first pathway, said first spacer, said second spacer and said core are arranged for allowing said steam to travel along said second pathway into said interior of said core and exit said steamer along said first pathway and simultaneously out through said first end of said housing, said second opposite end of said housing, said first end of said core and said second opposite end of said core and allowing an item for steaming to travel along said first pathway and simultaneously through said first end of said housing, said second opposite end of said housing, said first end of said core and said second opposite end of said core.

US Pat. No. 10,139,103

CEILING MOUNTED AIRWAY DEVICE WITH ILLUMINATION

1. A ceiling mounted airway device with illumination, comprising a main housing, a lamp and a lamp fixing part intended to detachably fix the lamp to an inner wall of the main housing, wherein the main housing comprises:a first opening for exhausting air out of the main housing; and
a second opening for sucking air into the main housing, and
the lamp comprises:
an electrically conductive contact terminal which is located at an upper end of the lamp and electrically powered via the lamp fixing part; and
a flange protruding from a surface of the lamp and located below the electrically conductive contact terminal,
wherein the ceiling mounted airway device with illumination further comprises a shield for supporting the flange, which is substantially in form of a cylinder and surrounds the electrically conductive contact terminal and the lamp fixing part.

US Pat. No. 10,139,102

GOLF HOLE ILLUMINATION APPARATUS

1. A golf hole illumination apparatus, comprising:an annular body having an opening communicating through a center portion thereof;
a plurality of sequentially positioned light emitters engaged to said body in a curved path;
said body having a diameter running between opposing points of a circumferential edge, said diameter adapted for positioning to an as used position, at a bottom of a cup descending from a golf hole;
a slot communicating through said body from said circumferential edge to said opening,
said slot forming a passage adapted for a pole extending from a center area of said golf hole to pass into said opening;
an electric power source providing electricity to said light emitters through wires communicating between said electric power source and said light emitters; and
said light emitters communicating illumination in a direction toward a circumferential edge of said hole with said body in said as used position, wherein said hole is illuminated by said light emitters.

US Pat. No. 10,139,101

PERSONAL DEFENSE DEVICE

1. A personal defense device comprising:a reflector assembly, a barrel assembly and a plunger assembly;
wherein the barrel assembly includes a proximal end and a distal end;
wherein the reflector assembly is attached to the barrel assembly at a first opening provided at the distal end of the barrel assembly;
wherein the plunger assembly is attached to the barrel assembly at the proximal end of the barrel assembly;
wherein the reflector assembly comprises a reflector, a lens and a cover to protect the lens;
wherein the barrel assembly comprises a printed circuit board housing and a canister housing;
wherein the printed circuit board housing receives a printed circuit board assembly;
wherein the canister housing receives a replaceable canister having a compressible nozzle at its distal end;
wherein the replaceable canister serves as a receptacle for an attack repellant chemical;
wherein the printed circuit board assembly includes at least one battery;
wherein the plunger assembly comprises an upper housing and a lower housing;
wherein the lower housing of the plunger assembly is removably engaged to the canister housing;
wherein the upper housing of the plunger assembly includes an open ended cavity which extends in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the upper housing; and
wherein the open ended cavity is configured to receive and retain an alarm.

US Pat. No. 10,139,100

SPEAKER INCLUDING A SPEAKER APPARATUS AND A LIGHTING APPARATUS

1. A speaker comprising:a speaker apparatus configured to generate sound and provided with a coned shaped vibration portion; and
a lighting apparatus inserted through the vibration portion and disposed at a center of the vibration portion to emit light to the vibration portion,
wherein the lighting apparatus comprises:
a lighting module having a light emitting device; and
a light diffusion portion that surrounds the lighting module and is configured to diffuse light generated from the light module toward the vibration portion,
a cover located at a top portion of the light diffusion portion that covers an interior thereof,
wherein a first end portion of the lighting apparatus is inserted through the vibration portion,
wherein the lighting module is disposed at a second end portion opposite to the first end of the lighting apparatus, and
wherein the lighting module is attached to a center portion of the cover, and arranged inside the light diffusion portion.

US Pat. No. 10,139,099

LIGHT RING LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM

1. A light ring loudspeaker, comprising:a. a loudspeaker enclosure having an annular circumferential flange adapted to engage one of a ceiling tile and a panel when said enclosure is inserted through a hole in said one of said ceiling tile and said panel, respectively, wherein said annular circumferential flange has a larger diameter than said hole;
b. a plurality of flip dogs mounted on said enclosure, adapted to clamp said one of said ceiling tile and said panel between said flip dogs and said annular circumferential flange; and
c. an annular ring adapted to be clamped between said annular circumferential flange and said one of said ceiling tile and said panel.

US Pat. No. 10,139,098

SEALED LED LIGHT MODULE

1. Sealed light emitting diode (LED) light module comprising at least:a base plate, comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) supporting at least one LED, and
a transparent or semi-transparent, single-piece cover including a first portion configured to transmit light from the at least one LED, a second portion around and extending laterally outward from the first portion, at least one base plate support descending from the second portion, and at least one sidewall spaced from the at least one base plate support and descending from the second portion such that the at least one base plate support and the at least one sidewall define opposing sides of a trench,
wherein the base plate is configured to be coupled to the cover to define an inner space between the base plate and the cover such that the LED is disposed in the inner space, and
wherein the trench holds a peripheral seal that interacts with at least one edge of the base plate and a surface of the cover within the trench to seal the inner space against the environment and to fix the base plate to the cover, and
wherein the peripheral seal comprises a molded, cast, or adhesive material.

1. A solid-state light source heat dissipation metal shell, comprising a side wall the convection heat dissipation of the heat dissipation metal shell adopts a method of natural convection heat transfer, characterized in that:the heat dissipation metal shell includes a front shell, the side wall and the front shell are made of the same piece of metal plate, the middle of the front shell is provided with a contact heat-transfer surface directly or indirectly in contact with a solid-state light source, or
the heat dissipation metal shell includes a rear shell, the side wall and the rear shell are made of the same piece of metal plate, the middle of the rear shell is provided with a contact heat-transfer surface directly or indirectly in contact with a solid-state light source, or
the heat dissipation metal shell includes a rear shell and a front shell, a part of the side wall and the front shell are made of the same piece of metal plate, and a part of the side wall and the rear shell are made of the same piece of metal plate, the middles of the rear shell and the front shell are provided with contact heat-transfer surfaces directly or indirectly in contact with a solid-state light source,
the side wall is provided with a ventilation window with a louver type structure or a staggered structure, a cut line of the ventilation window adopts a structure along the axis direction of the heat dissipation metal shell.

US Pat. No. 10,139,095

REFLECTOR AND LAMP COMPRISED THEREOF

1. A lamp with a central axis, comprising:an envelope forming an interior volume;
a reflector disposed in the interior volume at a reflector plane that is tangent to at least two points on the reflector, wherein the reflector comprises a plurality of facets disposed circumferentially about the central axis, wherein the facets are configured to at least partially reflect light from the light source; and
a light source that is configured to generate light onto the reflector,
wherein the reflector and the light source each have a profile with an outer profile diameter that forms a reflector-to-light source size ratio in a range of from about 2.8 to about 3.6;
wherein, the envelope is configured to diffuse light from the light source with an intensity distribution of a level of approximately 100±25% over a range of values for a latitudinal co-ordinate ? between zero degrees (0°) and one hundred thirty-five degrees (135°) or greater.

US Pat. No. 10,139,094

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ENCAPSULATING AND COOLING A SUBMERGED LUMINARY

11. A method of cooling a submerged light fixture, comprising:filling a light enclosure mounted on an upper platform with a sealing agent, wherein a light source mounted on the upper platform is incased in the sealing agent;
installing the light fixture on a pool wall;
filling the pool with a liquid, wherein the light fixture becomes submerged in the liquid;
flowing the liquid through the light fixture, wherein:
liquid flows through cover slots of the light enclosure into at least one tunnel defined by fins between an upper platform and a lower platform;
at least one tunnel passes directly underneath a light source mounted to the upper platform; and
the liquid is in fluid communication with the at least one tunnel and a pool.

US Pat. No. 10,139,092

LIGHTING ASSEMBLY

1. A lighting assembly comprising:a frame;
a power supply connector coupled to the frame at and along a first inner side of the frame, wherein the power supply connector is configured to receive a power from an external power supply;
a support coupled to the frame at and along a second inner side of the frame, wherein the first side is opposite to the second side;
a lighting module disposed between and coupled to the power supply connector and the support, wherein the lighting module is configured to receive the power from the power supply connector, and the lighting module has a lighting element embedded therein,
wherein the lighting module is physically supported by the support;
wherein the lighting module includes a connecting means support, two second electrical contacting means and a module body, wherein the connecting means support supports the two second electrical contacting means, wherein the connecting means support has two slide grooves defined therein to receive the two second electrical contacting means respectively, wherein when the two second electrical contacting means are pressure-engaged into the power supply connector, the two second electrical contacting means applies the elastic force to the power supply connector, wherein the second electrical contacting means is electrically coupled to the power supply connector to supply the power from the power supply connector to the module body, and wherein the module body is coupled to the connecting means support on one end thereof, and the module body includes light emitting means embedded therein.

US Pat. No. 10,139,091

LED LAMP WITH REARWARD EXTENDING HEATSINK

1. A lamp for replacing a standard light bulb having a standard electrical connector, said lamp having a front and rear orientation and comprising:a body containing at least one light emitting diode (LED);
an electrical connector for operatively providing power to said LED, said electrical connector being one of an Edison screw-type connector or a pin-type connector, said electrical connector being rearward of said body and defining a connection plane between said electrical connector and said body, said electrical connector being configured for electrical connection to an electrical interface; and
at least one heat sink in thermal communication with at least one of said LED or said driver, said at least one heat sink having a rearward portion extending rearward from said connection plane and enveloping at least a portion of said electrical connector.

US Pat. No. 10,139,090

RECHARGEABLE ILLUMINATING SHOES

1. An illuminating shoe for a user comprising:a shoe body having a sole, heel, tongue and toe;
a power supply;
a control processor in operable connection to the power supply, the control processor being programed to include a unique digital signature;
a mount coupled to an exterior of the shoe body;
at least one light releasably coupled to the mount, the mount configured to permit angling of the light relative to the shoe body to illuminate a forward area, the at least one light in operable connection with the control processor; and
a switch in operable connection with the control processor and at least one light, so as to regulate to operation and function of the at least one light;
wherein the control processor is configured to recognize and detect the proximity of other signatures remote from the user and respond with a programmed action upon recognition including at least one of a noise generation and a lighting pattern.

US Pat. No. 10,139,089

LAMP

1. A lamp, comprising:a first end section provided in a first end section region and a second end section provided in a second end section region, wherein the first end section and the second end section are diametrically disposed, each respective end section forming an electrical contact of the lamp, wherein at least one semiconductor light source is arranged in each respective end section region, and wherein the lamp has an operating apparatus for the semiconductor light sources;
wherein the operating apparatus has electrical components arranged in the first end section region of the lamp, and the operating apparatus has at least one further electrical component arranged in the second end section region of the lamp; and
wherein the operating apparatus is a chopper regulator, and the at least one further electrical component of the operating apparatus is at least one inductive component of the chopper regulator.

US Pat. No. 10,139,088

ENHANCED FIXTURE IN GRID OF FIRST VOLTAGE WITH STEP-DOWN POWER SUPPLY FOR ENERGIZING ANCILLARY DEVICE REQUIRING SECOND VOLTAGE

1. An enhanced array of light fixtures for providing both light and a desired non-light feature within an illuminated area of a structure, comprising:a first plurality of light fixtures that are adapted for emitting light;
a reduced plurality of enhanced light fixtures comprised of a subset of the first plurality of light fixtures which are adapted for emitting light and also for supporting a corresponding plurality of auxiliary non-light-emitting devices that require a different voltage and are adapted for providing a desired non-light feature within the illuminated area of the structure;
a grid of wires connected to each of the light fixtures in the first plurality of light fixtures, said grid of wires providing commercially available power having a first line voltage to each of the light fixtures;
the first plurality light fixtures comprised of a light emitting system that is connected to and receives the commercially available power having the first line voltage, the light emitting system thereby emitting light to provide light within the illuminated area of the structure; and
the second plurality of light fixtures each comprised of a power conversion unit that is also connected to and receives the commercially available power having the first line voltage, the power conversion unit converting the first line voltage to a second lower voltage and providing it to the non-light-emitting devices supported by the light fixture.

US Pat. No. 10,139,086

LIGHT FIXTURE HAVING RETRACTABLE FRONT PANEL SURFACE

1. A light fixture configured to be embedded in a surface, the light fixture comprising:a light source;
a front panel located in front of the light source;
a frame in contact with a front panel surface of the front panel;
a pressure mechanism configured to press the front panel surface against the frame; and
a fixing piece provided at a position opposite to the front panel on a base surface side opposite to a front surface side on which the front panel surface is exposed, the fixing piece extending outward from the base surface side to fix the frame to an external structure,
wherein the pressure mechanism is retractable by a distance greater than a thickness of the front panel when a pushing force is applied to the front panel surface, and
the front panel is movable in a direction perpendicular to a retractable direction of the pressure mechanism when the pressure mechanism is retracted.

US Pat. No. 10,139,085

LAMP DEVICE WITH LAMPSHADE FASTENED VIA ARM LATCH

1. A lamp device comprising:a lamp seat including a mounting plate;
a funnel-shaped lampshade having
a top end portion,
a bottom end portion that is spaced apart from said top end portion, that is connected to said mounting plate, and that defines an opening, said lampshade converging from said top end portion to said bottom end portion, and
an inner inclined surface that extends from said bottom end portion to said top end portion; and
a securing unit having
a cover shell that is disposed in said opening and that has
a top wall,
a surrounding wall extending downwardly from a periphery of said top wall, and connected to said mounting plate, and
a plurality of receiving notches, each of which extends from said top wall to said surrounding wall, and
a plurality of locking mechanisms, each of which includes a locking member that has
a ring portion disposed in a respective one of said receiving notches and being rotatable about an axis relative to said cover shell, and
an arm portion extending laterally from said ring portion, and being co-rotatable with said ring portion about the axis relative to said cover shell between a locked position, where said arm portion is disposed outside of the respective one of said receiving notches and abuts against said inner inclined surface of said lampshade such that said lampshade is fastened to said lamp seat, and an unlocked position, where said arm portion is received in the respective one of said receiving notches such that said lampshade is permitted to be separated from the lamp seat.

US Pat. No. 10,139,084

ASSEMBLY FIXTURE AND ASSEMBLY METHOD FOR BACKLIGHT MODULE

1. An assembly fixture for a backlight module comprising a set of optical elements and a back plate, wherein the set of optical elements comprise a protrusion structure located on a sidewall of the set of optical elements, and the back plate comprises a groove structure located in a sidewall of the back plate and matched with the protrusion structure; wherein the assembly fixture comprises:a first assembling disk for carrying the set of optical elements;
a second assembling disk for carrying the back plate;
a vision alignment system for acquiring a first coordinate information of the set of optical elements and a second coordinate information of the back plate located on the second assembling disk when the set of optical elements is located right above the vision alignment system, and calculating a fitting location coordinate information regarding the set of optical elements and the back plate depending on the first coordinate information and the second coordinate information, and sending the fitting location coordinate information to a manipulator; and
said manipulator for transferring the set of optical elements to right above of the vision alignment system, and aligning the set of optical elements with the back plate depending on the fitting location coordinate information, and embedding the protrusion structure of the set of optical elements into the groove structure of the back plate by a preset tilt angle, and then laying the set of optical elements on the back plate so that the set of optical elements and the back plate completely fit against each other,
wherein the vision alignment systems comprises a first vision alignment sub-system and a second vision alignment sub-system; the first vision alignment sub-system is congfigured to acquire the first coordinate information of the set of optical elements, and the second vision alignment sub-system is configured to acquire the second coordinate information of the back plate.

US Pat. No. 10,139,083

PACKAGE AND LIGHT DEVICE

1. A light device and package comprising:at least one light device comprising:
at least one light emitting element which receives electrical power from an electrical power storage device disposed during use in said light device, said at least one light emitting element being arranged so as to generate light;
a photovoltaic device for recharging said electrical power storage device;
control circuitry arranged to control power supplied from said electrical power storage device to said at least one light emitting element during use;
a test device comprising:
at least two conductors comprising a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor;
a test switch connected across said at least two conductors;
a device package comprising a removable package portion supporting said test switch and associated with said at least one light device;
wherein said test device is removably connected to said control circuitry via said at least two conductors, said test device being in a first configuration wherein said test switch is connected between said electrical storage device and said at least one light emitting element via said at least two conductors, and a second configuration wherein said test switch and said at least two conductors are disconnected from said electrical storage device and said at least one light emitting element;
wherein in said first configuration said test switch is supported by said device package to provide access to operate said test switch by a user located external from said device package; and
wherein some of said generated light is viewable by a user when said test switch is disposed by said user in said first configuration.

US Pat. No. 10,139,082

PLANAR OLED LAMP MODULE

1. A planar OLED lamp module, comprising:at least one planar OLED lamp, comprising an OLED substrate and an OLED cover plate, wherein the OLED substrate has an OLED electrode surface, and the OLED electrode surface has at least one exposed positive electrode and at least one exposed negative electrode; and
a slot module, wherein one side of the frame of the slot module is provided with at least one slot opening, and the slot opening comprises at least two elastic metal units disposed therein and capable of connecting to an external power source; a largest side of the slot module has at least one transparent zone; the planar OLED lamp is able to be inserted into the slot opening to electrically connect the exposed positive and negative electrodes of the planar OLED lamp to the elastic metal units therein respectively, whereby a light emitted by the planar OLED lamp is able to be transmitted out of the transparent zone.

US Pat. No. 10,139,081

LIGHTING MODULE AND A LUMINAIRE

1. A lighting module for use in a reflector, comprising:at least one first light source configured to emit first light having a first light distribution with a first main direction,
at least one second light source configured to emit second light having a second light distribution with a second main direction opposite to the first main direction,
a base for connecting the lighting module to a luminaire socket and having a longitudinal axis extending through a center thereof,
the first light source being positioned on the longitudinal axis and the second light source being positioned at a non-zero distance to the longitudinal axis,
wherein the first main direction and the second main direction are substantially perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis, and
a carrier for carrying said first light source and said second light source,
wherein the carrier is attached to said base and comprises a rotation mechanism for rotating the first light source and the second light source with respect to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first light source is kept on the longitudinal axis and wherein the base remains stationary relative the rotation of the first light source and the second light source.

1. A laminated glazed automotive vehicle roof comprising:an external glass sheet, an internal glass sheet and interlayer sheets joining the glass sheets together, and
placed between the two glass sheets, a suspended particle device (SPD) assembly for controlling light transmission and elements for lighting via light-emitting diodes (LED),
wherein the SPD assembly and the LEDs are superposed and the LEDs are placed under the SPD assembly,
wherein the diodes, their power supply and their arrangement in the laminate are selected such that in operation a temperature in the laminate remains below 80° C., and
wherein a glass sheet bearing the LEDs is located in a cut-out in one of the interlayer sheets.

US Pat. No. 10,139,079

LED ILLUMINATION ASSEMBLY WITH COLLIMATING OPTIC

1. A beam forming optic for use with an LED having an optical axis centered on an area of light emission from which light is emitted in a hemispherical pattern surrounding the optical axis, said light emitted to one side of a first plane behind said LED and perpendicular to the optical axis, said beam forming optic comprising:a first light entry surface configured to cooperate with a first light emission surface to redirect a portion of the light emitted by said LED divergent from the optical axis into a direction substantially parallel with the optical axis;
a second light entry surface configured to cooperate with an internal reflecting surface and a second light emission surface to redirect a portion of the light emitted by said LED divergent from the optical axis into a direction substantially parallel with the optical axis; and
a polygonal periphery extending from said internal reflecting surface to said second light emission surface;
wherein said first light entry surface and said first light emission surface have lobes projecting away from said optical axis to redirect light emitted by said LED that would otherwise be incident on said polygonal periphery, light passing through said second light entry surface is incident on said internal reflecting surface and said first and second light entry surfaces cooperate to prevent light emitted from said LED from contacting said polygonal periphery.

US Pat. No. 10,139,078

COMPACT OPTICAL ASSEMBLY FOR LED LIGHT SOURCES

1. A reflector for use in conjunction with an LED light source, said LED light source having an LED optical axis (Ao) centered on an area of light emission from which light is emitted in a hemispherical emission pattern surrounding said optical axis (Ao), said light consisting essentially of light emitted to one side of a first plane (P1) coincident with said area of light emission and perpendicular to said optical axis (Ao), said reflector comprising:a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface rotationally symmetrical about optical axis (Ao), said first reflecting surface extending from said first plane (P1) and defined by an arc of an ellipse rotated about said optical axis (Ao), said ellipse having a first ellipse focus coincident with said area of light emission and a major axis canted relative to said optical axis (Ao), and said second reflecting surface defined by an arc of a parabola rotated about said optical axis (Ao) having a parabola focus axially spaced from said first reflecting surface and radially spaced from said optical axis (Ao);
wherein said first reflecting surface and said second reflecting surface are configured to cooperate to redirect light rays divergent from said optical axis (Ao) into a direction substantially parallel with said optical axis (Ao).

US Pat. No. 10,139,077

OPTICAL LENS, LIGHT EMITTING MODULE AND LIGHT UNIT HAVING THE SAME

1. An optical lens comprising:a bottom surface;
a recess that is upwardly convex at a central region of the bottom surface;
a light input surface at a circumference of the recess;
a first light output surface having a convexly curved surface at opposite sides of the bottom surface and the light input surface; and
a second light output surface having a flat surface at a circumference of the first light output surface, wherein:
the bottom surface includes a first edge adjacent to the recess and a second edge adjacent to the second light output surface;
a region of the bottom surface more adjacent to the first edge gradually approaches a first axis horizontal to a center of a bottom of the recess;
a lower region of the light input surface provided lower than a straight horizontal line passing through the second edge; and
the first light output surface includes a curved surface that vertically overlaps the recess and the bottom surface,
wherein the first light output surface includes a convex central region that vertically overlaps the recess,
the second light output surface includes a third edge adjacent to the first light output surface,
a first distance from a first vertex of the light input surface to a second vertex of the first light output surface is shorter than a second distance from the first vertex of the light input surface to a straight horizontal line passing through the third edge,
wherein the first vertex is a vertex of the light input surface,
wherein the second vertex is disposed at the convex central region of the first light output surface,
wherein the second vertex is a highest point of a lens body,
wherein the first vertex of the light input surface and the second vertex of the first light output surface are provided at a central axis perpendicular to a center of a bottom of the recess,
wherein an interval between the second edge of the bottom surface and the first axis is smaller than a vertical width of the second light output surface, and
wherein the third edge of the second light output surface is located at a lower position than a position of the first vertex from the first axis.

US Pat. No. 10,139,075

REFLECTIVE LIGHT GUIDE TUBE AND LED LIGHT SOURCE, AND OPTICAL SYSTEM

1. A variable focus LED optical system, comprising a reflective light guide tube, a LED light source and an optical assembly, wherein, the reflective light guide tube comprising a tube body enclosed by more than three reflecting plates which connected with each other in turn, the said reflecting plate comprising a plate body and a reflecting layer arranged on the plate body, along the exit direction of light, the tube body comprising a light inlet part, a light reflecting part and a light outlet part in turn, wherein the light outlet part larger than the light inlet part such that the tube body is tapered, the LED light source arranged at the end of the light inlet part, the optical assembly is movably arranged in front of the tube body in the exit direction of light to be movable relative to the reflective light guide tube in the exit direction of light.

US Pat. No. 10,139,074

VEHICULAR LIGHT GUIDE MEMBER AND VEHICULAR LIGHTING EQUIPMENT

1. A vehicular light guide member which forms a rod shape to guide light by utilizing total reflection inside thereof, comprising:an incidence surface to make light incident to the incidence surface;
an emission surface to emit the incident light;
a main reflection portion having a main reflection surface to reflect the incident light to the emission surface side;
a secondary reflection portion having a secondary reflection surface to reflect the incident light to the emission surface side; and
a linking portion which is disposed between the main reflection portion and the secondary reflection portion,
wherein the main reflection portion is provided continuously in plurality in a light guide direction, the secondary reflection portion is provided continuously in plurality in the light guide direction correspondingly to the main reflection surface, and the linking portion is provided continuously in plurality in the light guide direction correspondingly to the main reflection portion and the secondary reflection portion such that the linking portion is integrally linked to the main reflection portion and the secondary reflection portion smoothly without a step in a direction crossing the light guide direction.

US Pat. No. 10,139,073

LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED) LIGHT BAR

1. A light emitting diode (LED) light bar for a vehicle, comprising:a housing not integrated with the vehicle;
a plurality of reflectors in a row located within said housing;
a mount for mounting said housing onto a vehicle so that said reflectors reflect light forward of said vehicle;
a first plurality of LEDs having light reflected by ones of said plurality of reflectors, respectively, wherein each of said plurality of reflectors surrounds a respective one of said first plurality of LEDs with reflective material, and wherein said ones of said plurality of reflectors are adjacent to each other;
a second plurality of LED groups, each of said LED groups having multiple LEDs, said multiple LEDs in each of said LED groups arranged in multiple rows, each of said LED groups having light reflected by reflective material included in a respective one of said plurality of reflectors;
in each respective one of said plurality of reflectors, reflective material is between each first plurality of LEDs and each second plurality of LED groups;
said first plurality of LEDs electrically connected together for illuminating light together responsive to receipt of electrical current from a cable entering said housing from outside of said housing wherein said plurality of reflectors are located;
said second plurality of multiple LED groups electrically connected together for illuminating light together responsive to receipt of electrical current from outside of said housing wherein said plurality of reflectors are located and independently of said first plurality of LEDs receiving electrical current; and
said first plurality of LEDs electrically connected together independently of said second plurality of LED groups for independent energizing of said first plurality of LEDs relative to said second plurality of LED groups
wherein relative to each common one of said reflectors, each one of said first plurality of LEDs emit light from a different location than from where each one of said second plurality of LED groups emit light, and each of said second plurality of LED groups emits light from around each respective one of said first plurality of LEDs; and
each of said reflectors including a back end where each of said respective first plurality of LEDs are located and a front end forward of said back end where light from each of said first plurality of LEDs exits said reflectors, wherein for each respective one of said plurality of reflectors, said second plurality of LED groups are mounted closer to said front end than said first plurality of LEDs are mounted.

US Pat. No. 10,139,071

MOTOR VEHICLE HEADLAMP WITH CONCAVE MIRROR REFLECTORS

1. A motor vehicle headlamp having a reflection system with three reflectors, the headlamp comprising a first semiconductor light source and a first concave mirror reflector, which is a first one of the three reflectors, a second semiconductor light source and a second concave mirror reflector, which is a second one of the three reflectors, and a third semiconductor light source and a third concave mirror reflector, which is a third one of the three reflectors, wherein each semiconductor light source is composed of at least two separate semiconductor chips, wherein the second semiconductor light source is composed of a first group of semiconductor chips and a second group of semiconductor chips, and having a control circuit configured for operating either the first semiconductor light source together with the first group of semiconductor chips of the second semiconductor light source but without the third semiconductor light source, or the third semiconductor light source together with the second group of semiconductor chips of the second semiconductor light source but without the first semiconductor light source, and to operate at least the first group of semiconductor chips of the second semiconductor light source together with the fist semiconductor light source,wherein, in each case, one reflector with a light source forms a reflection module, so that the headlamp has three reflection modules and in that, in each case, two reflection modules of the three reflection modules form a first pair of reflection modules, which can be activated for generating a low-beam light distribution, and in that, in each case, two reflection modules of the three reflection modules form a second pair of reflection modules, which can be activated for generating a high-beam light distribution,
wherein a first reflection module of the three reflection modules, by the shape of the first reflector, acts to generate a partial low-beam light distribution having a light/dark border for a low-beam light distribution conforming to regulations,
wherein a second reflection module of the three reflection modules is a bi-functional module, that generates both a portion of a low-beam light distribution as well as a portion of a high-beam light distribution, and in that this second reflection module has two groups of semiconductor chips, which are disposed in rows, the rows lying with their longitudinal extension transverse to the main beam direction in a horizontal plane and the rows are offset to one another in the main beam direction of the reflector, wherein the second reflection module is disposed between the first reflection module and the second reflection module,
wherein a third reflection module of the three reflection modules generates a partial high-beam light distribution without a light/dark border, which extends beyond the height of the horizon in front of the vehicle with an intended use of the headlamp.

US Pat. No. 10,139,069

PARTIALLY ALUMINIZED LENS FOR AUTOMOTIVE LAMP

1. A partially aluminized lens for an automotive lamp, which is set in front of the automotive lamp light source (1), whereinthe aforesaid partially aluminized lens is comprised of a light-incident surface (2) and a light-emitting surface (3) forming a main light shape, and a reflection surface (4) forming an auxiliary light shape;
the aforesaid light-incident surface and the light-emitting surface forming the main light shape is completed by a plano-convex lens (5);
the aforesaid reflection surface forming the auxiliary light shape is completed by a reflection frame (6) integrated and provided with plano-convex lens, and the aforesaid reflection frame being formed by partial aluminization;
a succession part (7) is formed at the connection of the plano-convex lens and the reflection frame;
through the light-incident surface of the plano-convex lens, the reflection surface of the reflection frame and the succession part, a light wave can form the main light shape with horizontal shading line and the range of illumination of 35 degrees45 degrees of an inner side, and 65 degrees75 degrees of an outer side of the automobile, and can form the auxiliary light shape with the shading line with inflection points required for the low beam light shape, and with the range of illumination of both 15 degrees25 degrees of the inner side and outer side of the automobile.

US Pat. No. 10,139,067

LASER CAR LAMP

1. A laser car lamp, comprising:a plurality of laser diodes;
at least one light guide element having a laser light incident surface and a laser light exit surface;
a phosphor element disposed at one end, adjacent to the laser light exit surface, of the light guide element; and
a lens disposed at another end, adjacent to the laser light incident surface, of the light guide element, wherein the laser diodes are annularly arranged on the another end, adjacent to the laser light incident surface, of the light guide element, wherein the laser diodes emits laser beams guiding by the light guide element from the laser light incident surface to the laser light exit surface so as to excite the phosphor element to generate a light, and the light generated by the phosphor element is transmitted via the light guide element to the lens.

12. A light-emitting control assembly for use in an electronic candle, comprising:a plurality of light producing devices, each light producing device positioned at an inclined angle with respect to a vertical axis that passes through center of the light-emitting control assembly and configured to project light from a distance onto the flame element to illuminate a particular area of a flame element, wherein the angle is configured to allow the plurality of light producing devices to project a set of overlapping light beams, wherein the overlapping light beams form an overlapped area in a central area of the flame element;
a circuit board comprising a microcontroller coupled to the plurality of light producing devices and the flame element to simulate an appearance of a flame upon projection of the overlapping light beams on the flame element; and
one or more colored lighting devices positioned to provide illumination to an exterior wall of the electronic candle.

DUAL-CONDUCTOR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTRICAL APPARATUS

1. A method of making a fixture mount assembly for suspending an electrically powered assembly, the method comprising:coupling a first insulator component to at least one inner conductor connective component;
coupling to the first insulator component a first outer conductor connective component, the first outer conductor connective component having an opening;
coupling to the first outer conductor connective component a second insulator component, the second insulator component having an opening; coupling to the second insulator component at least one housing element, each of the at least one housing element having an opening;
coupling to the at least one housing element a third insulator component, the third insulator component having an opening; coupling a second outer conductor connective component to the first outer conductive component by placing the first outer conductor connective component through the openings of the third insulator component, the at least one housing element, and the second insulator component, the second outer conductor connective component having an opening;
coupling a gripper device to the inner conductor connective component, the coupling a gripper device to the inner conductor connective component comprising: placing the gripper device through the openings of at least the second outer conductor connective component, the third insulator component, and the at least one housing element, and the first outer conductor connective component, the gripper device comprising an insulator sleeve dielectrically separating the gripper device from at least the third insulator component;
coupling to the gripper device a fourth insulator component, the fourth insulator component having an opening;
providing a third outer conductor connective component, the third outer conductor connective component having an opening; and
coupling the third outer conductor connective component to the second outer conductor connective component, the coupling the third outer conductor connective component to the second outer conductor connective component comprising:
placing the fourth insulator component through the opening of the third outer conductor connective component;
wherein:
an inner conductive path is formed at least by the inner conductor connective component and the gripper device;
an outer conductive path is formed by at least the first, second, and third outer conductor connective components;
the inner conductive path is dielectrically separated from the second conductive path by at least the first, second, third, and fourth insulator components.

US Pat. No. 10,139,062

WALL PACK LIGHT FIXTURE

1. A light fixture comprising:a housing comprising:
a mounting box forming a first cavity; and
a cover box that fastens to the mounting box, the cover box forming a second cavity, the cover box comprising:
a first side that faces the mounting box when the cover box is fastened to the mounting box;
a first plurality of walls defining an outer perimeter of the cover box;
a sealing surface within the second cavity and within the outer perimeter of the cover box, the sealing surface engaging the mounting box when the cover box is fastened to the mounting box;
a second side that faces away from the mounting box when the cover box is fastened to the mounting box;
a lower portion of the cover box;
at least one light emitting diode (LED) oriented to emit light from the lower portion; and
a driver that is mounted to the cover box and electrically connected to the at least one light emitting diode.

US Pat. No. 10,139,061

ADJUSTABLE LIGHTING FIXTURE

1. A lighting fixture comprising:a housing configured to house a light source;
a mounting bracket configured to attach with the housing to secure the housing to a surface, the mounting bracket comprising a guide mechanism and a secondary bracket, the guide mechanism defining a guide channel, the secondary bracket being adjustable in at least one direction,
wherein the housing is attachable to the mounting bracket such that at least a portion of the housing is movable relative to the mounting bracket along the guide channel of the guide mechanism when a force is applied to the housing, and
wherein the housing is attachable to the secondary bracket such that the housing is movable relative to the mounting bracket in at least the one direction.

US Pat. No. 10,139,060

LED LIGHTING METHODS AND APPARATUS

1. A light assembly comprising:a first reflector having a mirror finish and having a top and a bottom;
an LED downlight for emitting light in a downward direction through a cavity formed by said first reflector, said LED downlight being located at the top of said first reflector;
an LED uplight for emitting light in an upward direction, said first reflector being positioned above said LED uplight;
a second reflector having a matte finish and having a top and a bottom, said second reflector being positioned below said first reflector, said second reflector having a larger diameter than said first reflector, said LED uplight being located at the bottom of said second reflector;
a seal located between a bottom surface of the first reflector and a top surface of the second reflector that prevents light leakage, said second reflector having a concave shape including a top opening through which light passes and a bottom opening through which light passes;
a lens, sealing a bottom portion of said first reflector and separating said first reflector from said second reflector; and
a trim ring assembly with retaining tabs, said trim ring assembly including a shoulder portion for insertion into a bottom portion of said second reflector and a flange portion for sealing a bottom portion of said second reflector with respect to a mounting surface into which said light assembly can be inserted.

US Pat. No. 10,139,059

ADJUSTABLE COMPACT RECESSED LIGHTING ASSEMBLY WITH HANGAR BARS

1. A compact recessed lighting system, comprising:a junction box having a sidewall that joins a top, defines an open bottom, and surrounds a cavity, wherein the junction box is fire-resistant and complies with an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) fire rating of up to two hours;
a unified casting having contained therein a light source module for emitting light and that is attached to a top inside surface of the unified casting, wherein the unified casting is at least partially positioned inside the cavity of the junction box such that the light source module is contained within the cavity of the junction box;
a driver for powering the light source module and that is positioned inside the cavity of the junction box;
a plurality of hangar bars for holding the junction box in a gap between beams in a structure, each one of the plurality of hangar bars being attached to one of a plurality of single piece hangar bar holders;
wherein each of the plurality of single piece hangar bar holders is moveably coupled to the junction box through an attachment mechanism formed on each of the plurality of single piece hangar bar holders, wherein each attachment mechanism is received in a corresponding one of a plurality of holes formed in the sidewall of the junction box,
wherein each single piece hangar bar holder has a front side facing inward towards the sidewall of the junction box, a back side facing outward, and a hangar bar holder railing structure extending outward that is to slide along a corresponding one of the hangar bars.

US Pat. No. 10,139,058

ORNAMENT WITH BACKLIT FILM IMAGE

1. An ornament, comprising:a substantially rigid and upright frame generally forming a plurality of open frame sections each having a smooth inner surface and framing a respective viewing region;
at least one transparent outer lens having a smooth outer surface and a smooth inner surface, the smooth outer surface being positioned flush against the smooth inner surface of one of the open frame sections;
at least one backlit film image having a flat top surface positioned flush against the smooth inner surface of the at least one transparent outer lens and substantially aligned within the framed viewing region of one of the open frame sections for viewing;
at least one transparent inner lens having a smooth outer surface configured for flush engagement with a flat bottom surface of the backlit film image; and
at least one retainer cap configured to selectively receive and retain at least a portion of the frame to define an enclosure with the at least one backlit film image positioned therein and viewable within respective viewing region.

US Pat. No. 10,139,056

LED LAMPS WITH IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIGHT

1. A three-way lighting system comprising:a first light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit first light having a first spectral power distribution (SPD);
a second LED configured to emit second light having a second SPD substantially different from said first SPD;
a driver coupled to said first LED and said second LED and configured to selectively power said first LED to emit said first light and said second LED to emit said second light, wherein said driver is configured to interface with a user-operated switch to operate in at least first, second, and third modes, in said first mode, said driver is configured to power one of said first LED and said second LED, in said second mode, said driver is configured to power both of said first LED and said second LED, and in said third mode, said driver is configured to power neither of said first LED and said second LED.

US Pat. No. 10,139,055

FLUORESCENCE LIGHT SOURCE DEVICE WITH PERIODIC STRUCTURE HAVING AN ASPECT RATIO OF 0.5 TO 0.9 AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

1. A fluorescence light source device comprising a fluorescence member that is formed from a phosphor composed of single crystal or polycrystal and excited by excitation light, whereinthe fluorescence member has a surface provided with a periodic structure layer made of a high refractive index material having a refractive index of not less than a refractive index of the fluorescence member, the periodic structure layer has a surface with a periodic structure having a periodic array of conical or truncated projections and formed by an etching process, and the periodic structure has an aspect ratio, which is a ratio of a height of the projections to a pitch, within a range of 0.5 to 0.9,
the projections that constitute the periodic structure in the periodic structure layer are formed on a thin film part that covers the surface of the fluorescence member, with the thickness of the thin film part being not more than 0.4 ?m,
the fluorescence member has a back surface, opposite side of the surface with the periodic structure layer, the back surface provided with a light reflection film, and
the surface roughness Ra of the back surface is not more than 100 nm.

US Pat. No. 10,139,054

LIGHTING APPARATUS

1. A lighting apparatus comprising:a board;
a plurality of light sources disposed on the board;
a reflecting unit disposed on the board; and
a resin layer disposed on the reflective unit to cover the light sources,
wherein the reflecting unit comprises a first reflective member on a first surface of the board, a second reflective member spaced apart from the first reflective member, and a spaced member disposed between the first reflective member and the second reflective member,
wherein the first reflective member and the second reflective member comprise a plurality of holes,
wherein at least one of the plurality of light sources is disposed in each hole of the first reflective member and the second reflective member, and
wherein the spaced member comprises a plurality of unit spaced members and a plurality of first spaced areas.

US Pat. No. 10,139,053

SOLID-STATE LIGHT SOURCE DEVICE

1. A solid-state light source device comprising:a semiconductor light emitting element;
a wavelength conversion element; and
a first lens,
wherein the semiconductor light emitting element includes:
a first light emitter; and
a second light emitter,
the wavelength conversion element includes:
a first wavelength converter containing a first phosphor; and
a second wavelength converter containing a second phosphor,
the first wavelength converter and the second wavelength converter are disposed apart from each other,
the first light emitter emits first excitation light,
the second light emitter emits second excitation light,
the first phosphor converts the first excitation light into first-wavelength light,
the second phosphor converts the second excitation light into second-wavelength light,
the first lens is provided between the semiconductor light emitting element and the wavelength conversion element, and
the first excitation light, the second excitation light, the first-wavelength light and the second-wavelength light enter a pupil of the first lens, and
wherein the semiconductor light emitting element further includes a third light emitter,
the wavelength conversion element further includes a polarization converter,
the first wavelength converter, the second wavelength converter, and the polarization converter are disposed apart from each other,
the third light emitter emits third excitation light, and
the polarization converter changes a polarization state of the third excitation light to generate a fourth emitted light and emits the fourth emitted light.

US Pat. No. 10,139,051

REPLACEABLE LED LAMP

1. A replaceable LED lamp,comprising a mounting base grid for fixing the replaceable LED lamp on a mounting surface, an LED light source main body for lighting and illuminating, and a clamping piece; and
the clamping piece fixes the LED light source main body on the mounting base grid by clamping with an elastic structure fixed on the LED light source main body,
wherein
the clamping piece is an elastic sheet with a Z-shaped section, comprising a clamping piece top face for clamping the clamping piece under the elastic structure, a clamping piece vertical face for attaching onto the LED light source main body, and a clamping piece bottom face for attaching onto the mounting base and the LED light source main body; and
by means of the clamping piece vertical face and the clamping piece bottom face, the clamping piece is attached onto the LED light source main body and the mounting base grid;
and, by camping the clamping piece top face between the elastic sheet of the elastic structure and the LED light source main body, the LED light source main body is fixedly connected to the mounting base grid via the clamping piece.

US Pat. No. 10,139,050

SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR EQUALIZATION OF PRESSURE OF A PROCESS FLOW STREAM ACROSS A VALVE

1. A system for equalizing pressure of an abasive flow stream across a first process valve, said system comprising:a first pump including a first pump piston having a first side and a second side, said first side of said first pump piston being in fluid connection with an abrasive flow stream;
a first process valve downstream of said first side of said first pump piston, in fluid connection with said abrasive flow stream;
a first slave cylinder including a first slave cylinder piston having a first side and a second side, said second side of said first slave cylinder piston being in fluid connection with said abrasive flow stream;
a first non-abrasive fluid line connecting said second side of said first pump piston with said first side of said first slave cylinder piston, said first non-abrasive fluid line comprising a non-abrasive fluid; and
a first needle valve in fluid connection with said non-abrasive flow stream and disposed between said second side of said first pump piston and said first side of said first slave cylinder, the first needle valve arranged to be opened to permit flow of said non-abrasive fluid between said second side of said first pump piston and said first side of said first slave cylinder.

US Pat. No. 10,139,049

SUBFRAME FOR A VALVE BODY

1. A cylinder valve assembly having an outer casing and a sub-frame for a valve body having two or more location surfaces, said outer casing comprising a first portion and a second portion, said sub-frame comprising a first and a second portion having mutually confronting contact surfaces, sides and front and back surfaces and mutually confronting engagement surfaces wherein said mutually confronting contact surfaces are shaped to engage with each other upon placement together of the first and second portions of the sub-frame and said mutually confronting engagement surfaces are shaped to engage with one or other of said one or more location surfaces on the valve body when positioned therearound, the first portion of the outer casing having one or more lower first location features and one or more upper first location features thereon, and the second portion of the outer casing having one or more lower first location features and one or more upper first location features thereon,wherein said sub-frame further includes one or more lower second location features and one or more upper second location features for engagement with said one or more first location features of the first portion of the outer casing when said first and second portions of the outer casing are placed around said sub-frame; and
the lower first location features of the first portion and the lower first location features of the second portion include lower surfaces facing downwardly and side surfaces facing upwardly; and
the upper first location features of the first portion and the upper first location features of the second portion include upper surfaces facing upwardly and outer surfaces facing outwardly, and between the upper surfaces and the outer surfaces defines a generally rectangular shaped guide onto which the first and second portions of the outer casing slide onto when being positioned relative thereto.

US Pat. No. 10,139,048

SEALED AND THERMALLY INSULATING TANK EQUIPPED WITH A REINFORCING PIECE

1. A sealed and thermally insulating tank intended for transport of a fluid, said tank comprising a tank wall fixed to a carrier wall (99), the tank wall comprising:a sealing membrane (69) intended to be in contact with the fluid contained in the tank, the sealing membrane comprising a layer of corrugated metal sheet with at least one series of parallel corrugations (6) protruding towards the inside of the tank, and flat portions situated between the corrugations,
a thermal insulation barrier (51, 53) arranged between the carrier wall and the sealing membrane and having a support surface (58, 68) on which the flat portions of the sealing membrane rest,
and a reinforcing piece (15, 115, 215, 315) for reinforcing the sealing membrane against the pressure of the fluid contained in the tank, the reinforcing piece comprising a main body (16, 116) inserted in a corrugation of the sealing membrane between the sealing membrane and the support surface, the main body having an elongate form in a longitudinal direction of the corrugation and a base surface (18) resting on the support surface,
wherein the thermal insulation barrier comprises a groove (83, 84, 183, 184, 36, 37) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the corrugation and opening through the support surface, and the reinforcing piece comprises a retaining rib (17, 117) protruding relative to the base surface of the main body and engaged in the groove of the thermal insulation barrier, the retaining rib forming a first end lug (22, 122) extending in the groove beyond a first longitudinal end of the main body in the longitudinal direction of the corrugation,
the tank wall also comprising a stop element (24, 124, 224, 324, 424, 524, 624, 724) attached to the thermal insulation barrier and arranged on the support surface at a position adjacent to the first longitudinal end of the main body level with the first end lug (22, 122), such that the stop element cooperates with the first longitudinal end of the main body to stop the reinforcing piece in the longitudinal direction of the corrugation in a first direction, and with the first end lug to stop the reinforcing piece in a direction moving away from the support surface.

1. A metallic positive expulsion fuel tank comprising:a first hemispherical shell having a circumferential edge;
a pressurized propellant gas inlet attached to the first hemispherical shell;
a metallic cylinder having a first circumferential edge and a second circumferential edge wherein the first circumferential edge is attached to the circumferential edge of the first hemispherical shell by a first weld seam;
a second hemispherical shell having a circumferential edge;
a fuel outlet fixture attached to the second hemispherical shell;
a hemispherical elastomeric diaphragm attached to the fuel outlet fixture; and
a second hemispherical shell attached to the second circumferential edge of the metallic cylinder by a second weld seam thereby forming two interior chambers separated by the elastomeric diaphragm;
the first and second weld seams having localized post-weld heat-treated stress-relieved regions confined within a distance of 2 inches (5.08 cm) from the first weld seam and a distance of 2 inches (5.08 cm) from the second weld seam such that stresses in the first and second weld seams are relieved and the elastomeric diaphragm is unaffected by the heat treatment.

US Pat. No. 10,139,046

BIASED-AXIS ROTATIONAL FRAME MOUNTING SYSTEM

1. An apparatus for mounting rigid structures, comprising:a first mounting arm comprising a first portion affixed to a first surface and a second portion coupled to a frame, wherein the second portion is rotatably coupled to the first portion; and
a second mounting arm comprising a first portion affixed to a second surface and a second portion coupled to the frame, wherein the second portion is rotatably coupled to the first portion;
wherein the first mounting arm comprises a first longitudinal axis and the second mounting arm comprises a second longitudinal axis, and wherein an axis of rotation about which the frame rotates comprises an axis that runs through both the first longitudinal axis of the first mounting arm and the second longitudinal axis of the second mounting arm, wherein the axis of rotation comprises a first angle relative to the first surface and a second angle relative to the second surface, wherein the first angle and the second angle are substantially congruent and less than 90-degrees.

US Pat. No. 10,139,045

ART AND A TELEVISION (ARTV) MOUNTING SYSTEM

1. An art picture frame and television mounting device comprising:a) roller brackets mounted to a front frame for rolling beneath an art picture frame for raising and lowering said art picture frame,
b) a motorized pulley system attached to a wall mount, a back frame, and said front frame for extending and retracting said front frame while simultaneously raising and lowering said art picture frame,
c) roller extension arms, for raising said art picture frame, and
d) swivel arms attached to said front frame that permit a flat screen television to pivot side to side in a horizontal plane, and
e) a combination of said back frame, said front frame, up/down arms, television bracket cross arms, and television brackets that permit said mounting device to fold up into a space of one and one-half inch depth, and with said flat screen television attached, fit within a standard 4-inch construction wood stud wall.

US Pat. No. 10,139,044

MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR ACCESSORY

1. An accessory mounting system, comprising:a marking assembly, the marking assembly including:
a marker base, the marker base including a front side, the front side of the marker base including an opening extending into the marker base from the front side of the marker base;
a marker element, the marker element operable to make a mark on a mounting surface, the marker element operable to be inserted into the opening in the front side of the marker base; and
a marker pad, the marker pad including a front side and a rear side, the front side of the marker pad being generally flat, the marker pad including an opening extending from the front side of the marker pad through the rear side of the marker pad, when assembled, the opening in the marker pad generally aligning with the opening in the marker base, the marker pad being made from a compressible material;
wherein the marking assembly is operable to be secured in an accessory;
wherein the accessory can be placed against a mounting surface with the front side of the marker pad against the mounting surface;
wherein, when the accessory is placed against the mounting surface with the marker pad uncompressed, the marker element does not contact the mounting surface;
wherein the accessory can be pushed against the mounting surface thereby compressing the marker pad and enabling the marker element to make a mark on the mounting surface; and
wherein the marking assembly further includes a marker cap, the marker cap including a rear side, the rear side of the marker cap including a rim extending around a perimeter of the rear side of the marker cap, the rear side of the marker cap including a projection extending from the rear side of the marker cap forming an opening, when assembled, the opening in the marker cap generally aligning with the opening in the marker base and the opening in the marker pad.

US Pat. No. 10,139,043

FLASHLIGHT MOUNT

1. A flashlight mount comprising:a modular, flexible mast configured to be positioned in one of a plurality of orientations;
a clamp adaptor attached to an elbow joint at one end of said flexible mast wherein a plurality of inner grooves are formed vertically on an inside surface of said clamp adaptor wherein said elbow joint is rotatable relative to said flexible mast and wherein said clamp adaptor is rotatable relative to said elbow joint; and
an inner ring configured to be mounted inside said clamp adaptor, said inner ring having:
a plurality of outer grooves formed vertically on an outside surface of said inner ring wherein said inner grooves and said outer grooves interlock; and
an opening in said inner ring having a first diameter configured to receive a device having a second diameter wherein said inner ring is rotatable with respect to said clamp adaptor.

US Pat. No. 10,139,042

CRANE APPARATUS FOR SHOOTING

1. A crane apparatus for shooting, comprising: a jib to keep a camera horizontal; and a jib fulcrum mount supporting the jib, whereinthe jib includes a main jib and a sub jib,
the apparatus is configured to have the sub jib built in the main jib or not to expose a gap between the main jib and the sub jib to outside,
the apparatus includes first and second shafts, first and second sub jib mounting arms, and first and second sub jib mounting movable portions,
the first sub jib mounting arm is provided between the first shaft and the first sub jib mounting movable portion,
the second sub jib mounting arm is provided between the second shaft and the second sub jib mounting movable portion,
a distance between the first shaft and the first sub jib mounting movable portion is same as a distance between the second shaft and the second sub jib mounting movable portion,
the main jib is relatively rotatably coupled to the first sub jib mounting arm at the first shaft,
the main jib is relatively rotatably coupled to the second sub jib mounting arm at the second shaft,
the sub jib is relatively rotatably coupled to the first sub jib mounting arm at the first sub jib mounting movable portion,
the sub jib is relatively rotatably coupled to the second sub jib mounting arm at the second sub jib mounting movable portion,
the jib fulcrum mount is mounted to the main jib via the first shaft not to move the first sub jib mounting arm when an angle of the sub jib to the first and second sub jib mounting arms is changed;
the camera is mounted to the main jib via the second shaft not to allow movement relative to the second sub jib mounting arm;
the first and second sub jib mounting arms are configured to be maintained in parallel when the angle of the sub jib to the first and second sub jib mounting arms is changed; and
the camera is configured to be movable in an up-and-down direction while maintained horizontal by changing the angle of the sub jib to the first and second sub jib mounting arms.

US Pat. No. 10,139,041

TELESCOPIC ARM WITH A PUSH-PULL CHAIN DRIVE

1. A telescopic arm for a current collector system for a vehicle which can be driven along a power rail arrangement, the telescopic arm including:a base unit of the telescopic arm of the current collector system configured to be attached to the vehicle,
a first telescopic stage of the telescopic arm of the current collector system arranged displaceably in one direction,
a second telescopic stage of the telescopic arm of the current collector system arranged displaceably on the first telescopic stage in the one direction, and
an adjustment drive arranged on the first telescopic stage and configured to interact with a rigid chain having a first end connected to the base unit and a second end connected to the second telescopic stage,
wherein the telescopic arm is configured to be extended and/or retracted by means of the adjustment drive.

US Pat. No. 10,139,040

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ROTATING CYLINDRICAL MEMBERS

1. An apparatus for rotating a plurality of cylindrical members, the apparatus comprising:a plurality of wheels;
a plurality of drive gears, wherein each drive gear of the plurality of drive gears is connected with two wheels of the plurality of wheels, each of the two wheels is connected on opposite sides of each drive gear, and wherein the plurality of drive gears are positioned along a generally straight line; and
a housing assembly enclosing the plurality of drive gears, wherein the plurality of wheels is positioned outside of the housing, wherein the apparatus receives two or more cylindrical members thereon, wherein the plurality of wheels rotates the two or more cylindrical members.

US Pat. No. 10,139,039

CAMERA TRIPOD FOR A SMART PHONE

1. An accessory comprising:a plurality of grips, a base, a threaded connector, and a charger;
wherein the accessory is an adapted for use with a personal data device;
wherein the accessory works with a tripod;
wherein the accessory adjustably attaches the personal data device to the tripod;
wherein the solar powered charger attaches to the tripod;
wherein the solar powered charger charges personal data device while the personal data device is in use and in the tripod;
wherein the base is a strip is formed in the shape of a rectangular block;
wherein the base is further defined with a first end and a second end;
wherein the base supports the personal data device;
wherein the threaded connector is a hole that is formed in the surface of the base;
wherein the interior surface of the threaded connector is formed with an interior screw thread;
wherein the threaded connector is formed to receive the exterior screw thread of a standard connection post;
wherein each individual grip comprises a slider, a shaft, a plurality of clamps, and a base hole;
wherein the slider attaches to the base;
wherein the slider has formed in it a base hole;
wherein the base hole is sized to receive the base;
wherein the relative position of each individual grip to the slider is adjusted by sliding the slider through the base hole;
wherein the relative position of each individual grip selected from the plurality of grips to the remaining grips is adjusted by sliding the slider through the base hole;
wherein the shaft projects perpendicularly away from the slider in the direction away from the tripod;
wherein each of plurality of clamps is a trapezoidal plate;
wherein each of plurality of clamps projects perpendicularly away from the shaft;
wherein the plurality of clamps further comprises a first clamp and a second clamp;
wherein the first clamp is generally parallel with the second clamp;
wherein the first clamp and the second clamp are formed with elasticity to form a cantilever spring.

US Pat. No. 10,139,038

SUPPORT APPARATUS

1. A support apparatus comprising:a fixture member including:
a pillar comprising a back wall and two side walls, the pillar having an orientation kept in a substantially vertical direction with the back wall and the two side walls extending vertically, and an entirety of the pillar possessing a substantially horizontal sectional shape that is a U-shape defined by the back wall, the two side walls, and an open side opposite the back wall;
a plurality of chip portions fixed inside a U-shaped structure of the pillar and spaced from each other in a height direction of the pillar, the chip portions being separate structures that each directly contact the back wall and the two side walls inside the U-shaped structure of the pillar;
and
an opening formed by a lower surface of an upper one of the chip portions next to each other in the height direction of the pillar, an upper surface of a lower one of the chip portions, and opposed inner side surfaces of the two side walls inside the U-shaped structure of the pillar;
a support member detachably attached to the opening of the fixture member; and
a receiving member fixed to the support member and supporting a load, wherein
the upper surface of each chip portion has an upper slope surface sloped so as to become higher from the back wall of the U-shaped structure of the pillar toward the open side thereof, and a first horizontal surface which is formed contiguously to the upper slope surface and reaches the open side of the U-shaped structure of the pillar,
the lower surface of each chip portion has a lower slope surface sloped so as to become higher from the back wall of the U-shaped structure of the pillar toward the open side thereof, to reach the open side,
an upper surface of the support member has a first contact surface to contact with the lower slope surface,
a lower surface of the support member has a second contact surface to contact with the upper slope surface, and a third contact surface to contact with the first horizontal surface, the third contact surface being contiguous to the second contact surface, and
opposed side surfaces of the support member respectively have a fourth contact surface and a fifth contact surface to contact with the opposed inner side surfaces of the two side walls of the U-shaped structure of the fixture member.

US Pat. No. 10,139,037

PREFABRICATED REUSABLE CONCRETE PEDESTAL ELEMENT

1. A base assembly for supporting a crane pedestal comprising:(i) four base units, each having a first end and a second end, and each base unit being of an L-shape with an outside beveled corner;
(ii) fastening devices for connecting each base unit at its first and second end to respective first and second ends of another of said four base units;
the four base units being dimensioned so that, when connected by said fastening devices, the four base units form an octagonal-shaped base structure; and
the four base units being dimensioned to support four pads that each rest on a face of each unit adjacent to its beveled corner when the four base units are assembled in the octagonal-shaped base structure.

US Pat. No. 10,139,036

SECUREMENT FOR CRAWLER CRANES AND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE OF SAME

1. A system for securing a crawler crane having a crane mounted to an undercarriage with a set of parallel tracks having endless treads, the system comprising:first and second structural securements spaced at approximately a track-distance apart with respect to the crawler crane, each of the first and second structural securements including:
a structural mat subsystem having four wide flange beams welded together with a plurality of crossbar members such that openings are formed between the wide flange beams and crossbar members,
a plurality of structural support members secured proximate the openings,
the structural mat subsystem having a first end and a second end,
the structural mat subsystem having a width greater than one of the tracks of the crawler crane,
the structural mat subsystem having a length greater than one of the tracks of the crawler crane by at least ten feet, the structural mat subsystem having from the first end to the second end, a tie down region, an original crawler crane region, and an enhanced crawler crane region,
the structural mat subsystem having a height configured to accept the crawler crane in forward drive thereon on the first end, and
the tie down region having a plurality of surfaces for accepting a plurality of tie-downs; and
a plurality of transverse support members coupling the first structural securement to the second structural securement such that the first and second structural securements are spaced at approximately the track-distance apart,
wherein with respect to the first and second securements, the enhanced crawler crane region in combination with the original crawler crane region, and the tie down region shift the tipping fulcrum of the crawler crane toward the second end of the securement when the crawler crane is driven thereon.

US Pat. No. 10,139,035

THERMAL INSULATION PRODUCTS FOR USE WITH NON-PLANAR OBJECTS

1. A thermal insulation product, comprising:a substantially gas-tight enclosure comprising first and second opposing surfaces and a thickness between the first and second opposing surfaces, wherein a ratio of the thickness to a radius of curvature of the first surface is at least about 1 to 8, and comprising first and second outer edge portions disposed along a length of the substantially gas-tight enclosure;
a sealed interior portion within the substantially gas-tight enclosure between the first and second opposing surfaces and the first and second outer edge portions;
a gas-permeable enclosure disposed within the substantially gas-tight enclosure;
a support material comprising fine powder that is disposed within the gas-permeable enclosure; and
a liquid within the sealed interior portion of the substantially gas-tight enclosure,
wherein the pressure within the sealed interior portion is not greater than about 500 mbar at a temperature of at least about 20° C.,
wherein the substantially gas-tight enclosure comprises a substantially gas impermeable envelope comprising at least one of a polymeric film and a metallic foil.

US Pat. No. 10,139,034

IRRIGATION PIPE LINER

1. A pipe liner for lining a fluid-carrying pipe, the pipe liner comprising:an elongated flexible conduit having an outer wall forming an open-ended central channel, the outer wall having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and
a flexible flange extending radially from one of the first end and the second end of the outer wall, the flexible flange being stitched to the outer wall of the flexible conduit and including a number of fastener holes for anchoring the pipe liner to a rigid flange of the pipe, the pipe liner being configured to be pulled though the pipe in a collapsed configuration and expanded to a non-collapsed configuration when the flexible conduit is aligned with the pipe and the flexible flange is positioned near a rigid flange of the pipe.

US Pat. No. 10,139,033

RESIN COATING LAYER AND LIFE-EXTENSION METHOD FOR PIPING

1. A life-extension method of a heat transfer tube, comprising:filling a viscous liquid thermo-setting resin into the heat transfer tube; and
forming a resin coating layer on an inner wall of the heat transfer tube by simultaneously heating the entire outer peripheral surface of the heat transfer tube to cause a temperature difference in the thermo-setting resin filled-up inside the heat transfer tube so that temperature is higher at the inner wall side thereof than at a center portion thereof while simultaneously removing uncured thermo-setting resin composition in a viscosity state inside of the heat transfer tube by introducing gas or air into the heat transfer tube, thereby simultaneously curing the thermo-setting resin composition on the entire inner wall side of the heat transfer tube.

US Pat. No. 10,139,032

THREAD PROTECTOR

1. A thread protector for protecting the outside threaded end of a tubular member comprising:a. an outer member capable of rotating in a first direction about an axis comprising
i. a first housing having a substantially closed top end, an open bottom end, an outer side wall structure extending about the axis between the top end and the bottom end, an outer surface defined by a side wall surface and an outer top end surface, an inner side wall surface, an inner top end surface, and an interior space defined by the open bottom end, the inner side wall surface and the inner top end surface;
ii. one or more outer member lugs disposed on the inner side wall surface of the outer member, each lug having an outer member lug entrance oriented in the first direction of rotation, an outer member lug slope, and an outer member lug slope exit opposite the lug entrance, the slope generally increasing between the lug entrance and the lug exit;
iii. one or more outer member retaining shoulders axially disposed about a circumference of the inner side wall surface and extending inwardly toward the axis; and
b. an inner member coaxially nested within the outer member and capable of rotating in a second direction opposite the first direction about the axis comprising
i. a second housing having a substantially annular wall structure disposed about the axis having top and bottom opposed open ends, a flexible outer annular wall surface, an inner annular wall surface of a desired inner diameter capable of receiving the tubular member threaded end, and an inner member inner space defined by the opposed open ends and the inner wall surface,
ii. one or more inner member lugs disposed on the outer wall surface of the inner member, each inner member lug having an inner member lug leading edge oriented in the second direction of rotation, an inner member lug slope, and an inner member lug slope exit opposite the lug leading edge, the slope generally increasing between the lug leading edge and the inner member lug slope exit;
iii. one or more inner retaining shoulders axially disposed about a circumference of the inner member outer surface for interfacing with the one or more outer member retaining shoulders to retain the nested rotatable inner member within the outer member,
wherein the inner member lugs and outer member lugs are disposed on their respective inner member outer surface or outer member inner surface so that when the inner member is nested within the outer member and the outer member is rotated in its first direction relative to the inner member or the inner member is rotated in its second direction relative to the outer member, one or more of the respective one or more outer lugs will engage with a corresponding one or more of the respective one or more inner lugs to urge the outer annular wall structure of the inner member to be compressed toward the axis thereby radially inwardly compressing the inner annular wall surface of the inner member towards the axis to engage with the tubular member threaded end when such threaded end is received within the inner member inner annular space.

US Pat. No. 10,139,031

PIPE SPLITTING APPARATUS WITH CABLE ENGAGEMENT SYSTEM

1. A pipe breaking device, comprising:a pilot segment, including a plurality of splitting blades, the pilot segment having a first outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of a pipe to be split;
an expander located behind the pilot segment, the expander increasing in diameter from the pilot segment to a second outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the pipe to be split, wherein a beginning of the expander is located behind the plurality of splitting blades;
a cable gripping device located within the pipe breaking device, the cable gripping device including a taper to engage with a corresponding taper on an inside surface of the pipe breaking device;
a biasing device to urge the cable gripping device in an engaged position about a cable when in use; and
a segment extractor in contact with a front end of the cable gripping device to counter the biasing device.

US Pat. No. 10,139,030

CURED-IN-PLACE PIPE UNIT AND REHABILITATION

1. An apparatus for installation and curing of cured-in-place pipe, comprising:a unitary apparatus mounted as a vehicle, further comprising:
a pressurization system mounted on the vehicle for pressurizing the cured-in-place pipe, wherein the pressurization system comprises a low pressure-high volume blower system;
a low-NOx burner system mounted on the vehicle to provide heat to a heat exchange system;
a pumping system mounted on the vehicle for providing a volume of water to the heat exchange system;
a power system mounted to the vehicle;
a burner chamber system mounted on the vehicle to contain the low-NOx burner system; and
a steam separator system mounted on the vehicle.

US Pat. No. 10,139,029

ARRANGEMENT FOR ADJOINING A SUPPORT STRUCTURE TO A PIPE

1. An assembly comprising:a support structure;
a pipe passing through the support structure,
a mount connected to the support structure; and
radial bellows connected to the mount and to the pipe, the bellows extending circumferentially around the pipe and being connected to the pipe such that a volume is defined by the bellows, mount and pipe,
wherein a resilient material is provided in the volume defined by the bellows, mount and pipe, and contacts each of the bellows, mount and pipe.

US Pat. No. 10,139,028

PIPE JOINT MADE OF SYNTHETIC RESIN

1. A pipe joint made of synthetic resin, the pipe joint comprising:an inner ring having a protrusion formed on an outer circumference at one end portion in an axial direction, the protrusion being pressed into a leading end portion of a tube made of synthetic resin;
a joint body made of synthetic resin, the joint body having, on an inner circumferential side, an annular sealing groove into which the other end portion, of the inner ring, in the axial direction is pressed in a state where the protrusion is pressed into the leading end portion of the tube, the joint body having a male screw portion formed on an outer circumference thereof; and
a union nut made of synthetic resin, the union nut having, on an inner circumference thereof, a female screw portion to be tightened onto the male screw portion of the joint body in a state where the other end portion, of the inner ring, in the axial direction is pressed into the sealing groove,
wherein:
a first opposing surface is formed in the joint body so as to be perpendicular to the axial direction,
a second opposing surface is formed in the union nut so as to oppose the first opposing surface,
the pipe joint made of synthetic resin further comprises:
an engagement projection provided in one of the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface so as to project toward the other of the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface; and
an engagement recess provided in the other of the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface, the engagement recess being formed such that the engagement projection engages with the engagement recess when the union nut has been tightened up to an appropriate position,
a regulation portion is disposed, in a circumferential direction, on only part of one of the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface and projects toward the other of the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface, and
the regulation portion regulates screwing in a tightening direction in a state where the engagement projection has engaged with the engagement recess.

1. A flange assembly for mounting air cannons to bulk material processing equipment comprising:an annular mounting ring consisting of at least one component, the mounting ring being configured and adapted to be welded to bulk material processing equipment and connected to an air cannon in a manner connecting the air cannon to the bulk material processing equipment, the mounting ring comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced threaded bolt holes and a slot, the mounting ring encircling a fluid passageway configured to allow fluid to pass through the mounting ring; and
a gate comprising a temporary blocking portion frangibly connected to a flange portion, the gate being at least partially insertable through the slot of the mounting ring in a manner such that the blocking portion is able to at least partially prevent fluid from flowing through the fluid passageway of the mounting ring, the flange portion being configured to be securely attached to the annular mounting ring via at least one bolt threaded at least partially into one of the threaded bolt holes of the mounting ring after the blocking portion of the gate has been frangibly disconnected from the flange portion; and
the flange assembly being configured such that fluid is able to pass through the fluid passageway of the mounting ring after the blocking portion of the gate has been frangibly disconnected from the flange portion and the flange portion has been secured to the annular mounting ring.

US Pat. No. 10,139,026

SWIVEL JOINT WITH HYDRAULIC POSITION SIGNAL

1. A swivel joint, comprising:a pivot provided with a longitudinal axis, the pivot comprising:
an inlet conduit comprising an inlet configured to be placed in communication with a source of pressurized fluid;
a signal conduit comprising an inlet configured to be placed in communication with the inlet conduit;
a discharge conduit comprising an inlet configured to be placed in communication with the signal conduit and an outlet configured to be placed in communication with a low-pressure environment;
a seating concentric to the pivot and in which the pivot is sealedly rotatable; and
a connecting device, structured so as to assume a first configuration, in which it closes the inlet conduit and places the signal conduit in communication with the discharge conduit, and a second configuration, in which it places the inlet conduit in communication with the signal conduit and closes the discharge conduit wherein the connecting device is further structured so as to move between the first configuration and the second configuration following rotation of the pivot with respect to the seating for the pivot over a predetermined angle starting from an initial position.

US Pat. No. 10,139,025

FLUID CONNECTOR WITH LOCKING RING

1. A female connector, for fluid connection, adapted for receiving a male connector having a retaining external annular rim, the female connector comprising:a body with a bore of axis X,
a housing forming a slide extending generally within a transverse plane YZ perpendicular to axis X,
the housing comprising two parallel lateral grooves and the housing being open at least at one of its ends in the direction Z of the slide, and
a deformable locking ring distinct from the body, adapted to be inserted into the housing and to lock the male connector in the coupling position,
the deformable locking ring comprising two diametrically opposed first arched portions, concave as viewed from the axis X, and two diametrically opposed second arched portions of inverse curvature, meaning convex as viewed from the axis X, each of said second arched portions being interposed between said two first arched portions,
the second arched portions being adapted to flex outward during insertion of the male connector and to abut against the retaining external annular rim to prevent withdrawal of the male connector, whereby, after locking the male connector in the female connector, a definitive locking is obtained.

US Pat. No. 10,139,024

PRESSING JAW, METHOD FOR PRODUCING A NON-DETACHABLE PIPE JOINT, FITTING AND SYSTEM CONSISTING OF A PRESSING JAW AND A FITTING

1. A fitting for a metallically sealing joint with at least one metallic pipe, comprisinga metal fitting base body and
a press sleeve,
wherein the metal fitting base body has a cylindrical socket with an internal diameter adapted to an external diameter of the pipe to be joined,
wherein the press sleeve has at one end a receiving portion for receiving an outermost end of the cylindrical socket,
wherein the press sleeve has a pressing portion, an inner profile of which tapers in an axial direction to a diameter smaller than an external diameter of the metal fitting base body, such that the inner profile of the pressing portion is configured during an axial displacement onto the metal fitting base body to deform the outermost end of the cylindrical socket radially inwards so that the outermost end of the cylindrical socket cuts into material of the pipe,
wherein in a starting position, the metal fitting base body is partly inserted into the press sleeve,
wherein the press sleeve further comprises an outer obliquely deflecting bearing surface and the metal fitting base body further has an outer clamping ring being secured and recessed in a longitudinally centralized groove in the fitting base body and the clamping ring has an outer bearing surface which runs in an opposite direction to the bearing surface of the press sleeve, and wherein a longitudinal space is maintained between the clamping ring and the press sleeve.

US Pat. No. 10,139,023

ADVANCED BRAZE JOINT FOR TUBE-TO-TUBE CONNECTION

1. A device having an aperture for receiving a tube, the aperture comprising:an inlet portion comprising a first diameter, the inlet portion located at an inlet of the aperture;
a braze filler collector portion located axially adjacent to and coaxial with the inlet portion, comprising a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter;
a necked portion located axially adjacent to and coaxial with the braze filler collector portion, the necked portion configured to contact the tube and comprising a third diameter, the third diameter being less than the first diameter and the second diameter, wherein the braze filler collector portion is located axially between the inlet portion and the necked portion;
a flow surface configured to convey a fluid between the device and the tube, the flow surface comprising a fourth diameter, the fourth diameter being less than the third diameter;
a stopping surface adjacent to the flow surface and substantially perpendicular to a center axis of the flow surface, the stopping surface configured to contact the tube in response to the tube having been fully inserted into the aperture; and
a collection pocket located between and coaxial with the necked portion and the stopping surface, the collection pocket configured to collect a braze filler material from the necked portion to prevent the braze filler material from contacting the flow surface,
wherein at least one of the inlet portion, the braze filler collector portion, the necked portion and the collection pocket define a junction surface configured to be coupled to the tube via the braze filler material.

1. A low temperature fluid dual structure pipe comprising:an inner pipe through which a low temperature fluid flows;
an outer pipe externally fitted to the inner pipe with a sealed tubular space therebetween; and
a receiving member provided between the inner pipe and the outer pipe, wherein:
an inactive gas having a melting point and a boiling point each of which is equal to or higher than a temperature of the low temperature fluid is filled in the tubular space between the inner pipe and the outer pipe;
when the low temperature fluid flows through the inner pipe, the inactive gas is liquefied or solidified, and therefore, at least one of a liquefied inactive gas layer and a solidified inactive gas layer is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the inner pipe, and as a result, a pseudo vacuum layer that is in a substantially vacuum state is formed in the tubular space; and
the receiving member receives at least one of (i) a liquefied inactive gas dropping from the liquefied inactive gas layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner pipe or (ii) a solidified inactive gas coming off from the solidified inactive gas layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner pipe.

US Pat. No. 10,139,019

POLYMER-LINED PIPES AND FITTINGS WITH REPLACEABLE COMPONENTS

1. A polymer-lined pipe or fitting having an end configured to receive a replaceable component to form a continuous bore, the end comprising a mechanical coupling for attaching and detaching another pipe or fitting, the replaceable component comprising:(a) an outer ring having at least a portion having an outside diameter matching an inside diameter of the pipe or fitting, wherein the outer ring comprises two or more rings, separated by the polymer liner; and
(b) a polymer liner bonded to or encapsulating the outer ring and having an inside diameter matching the inside diameter of the polymer liner of the pipe or fitting.

US Pat. No. 10,139,018

PRE-DUCT DEVICES AND METHODS FOR MAKING AIR DUCTS

10. A thermoformed full pre-duct device comprising:a first portion of a hollow duct including a first wall defining an interior passage configured to allow passage of a gas and a connector extending from the first wall;
a second portion of the hollow duct including a second wall; and
a cut-out between the first and second portions of the device, wherein the pre-duct device is bendable at the cut-out to mechanically join the first portion and the second portion to form the hollow duct, such that the second wall of the second portion is disposed within the interior passage of the first portion and the connector engages an outer surface of the second wall.